bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of endobronchial ultrasound‐guided transbronchial needle aspiration in the differential diagnosis of isolated mediastinal and/or hilar lymphadenopathy
Authors: Temiz Dilek , İn Erdal , Kuluöztürk Mutlu , Kırkıl Gamze , Artaş Gökhan , Turgut Teyfik , Deveci Figen
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Isolated mediastinal and/or hilar lymphadenopathy (IMHL) has become an increasingly common finding as a result of the increased use of thoracic imaging modalities. Endobronchial ultrasound‐guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS‐TBNA) is accepted as the first step diagnostic method in the differential diagnosis of IMHL.

Objective

To determine the diagnostic yield of the procedure and to analyze clinical and sonographic findings that can be used to differentiate the etiology of lymph node pathologies.

Methods

Patients who underwent EBUS‐TBNA procedure between March 2017 and March 2020 were included in this retrospective study. Demographic data, symptoms, comorbid diseases, and EBUS findings were obtained from the records of the patients.

Results

EBUS‐TBNA provided a diagnosis in 88 patients out of 120 patients (granulomatous diseases n = 54, malignant diseases n = 21, and anthracotic lymph nodes n = 13), and 32 patients had a negative EBUS‐TBNA. 22/32 negative EBUS‐TBNA samples were true negatives (reactive lymphadenopathy). The sensitivity of the procedure was 89.8% while negative predict value was 68.7%, diagnostic yield of 91.6%. Patients with reactive lymph nodes had significantly more comorbidities (77.3%–19.4%, p < .001) and a lower number of lymph node stations (1.6 ± 0.8–2.7 ± 0.9, p < .001). Patients with anthracotic lymph nodes were older and mostly consisted of females (11/13, p < .001).

Conclusion

EBUS‐TBNA has high‐diagnostic efficiency in the differential diagnosis of IMHL. The number and size of lymph node stations can provide useful information for differential diagnosis. Clinical follow‐up can be a more beneficial approach in patients with reactive and anthracotic lymph nodes before invasive sampling.
Web databases of feather photographs are useful tools for avian morphometry studies
Authors: Malo Juan E. , Mata Cristina
Published: June 2021

Wing area, wing loading, and aspect ratio are key variables for studies of avian comparative ecology, despite the complexity of measuring wing characteristics in living and museum specimens. The systematic databases of feather photographs available on the Internet may offer an alternative way of obtaining such morphometric data. Here, we evaluate whether measurements of scanned feathers from web photograph databases may offer reliable estimates of avian morphometry.

Published data on wing area were obtained for 317 bird species and feather measurements from web photograph databases for 225 of them. A variable termed “lift generation area,” a proxy for wing area, was calculated for each species on the basis of the mean length of the five distal secondary feathers and wingspan data from literature. The fit between this proposed variable and data extracted from the literature was examined by correlation, employing linear regression to explore the lack of fit among species.

“Lift generation area” proved to be highly informative as a proxy for wing area for the study species as a whole (R2 > .98). Discrepancies observed between species were strongly negatively associated with the size of the original sample used to calculate wing area (p = .001) and, to a lesser extent, with bird size (p = .023), but not with aspect ratio. It was also found that the mean value of the mismatch between “lift generation area” and wing area (13.1%) among the study species as a whole was of similar magnitude to that found between sources of bibliographic wing area data for the 64 species for which two published estimates of this variable were available (15.3%).

We conclude that measurements made from feather photograph databases are reliable for use in studies of avian comparative ecology, enabling the inclusion of biomechanical parameters of many more species than featured at present.
Alternative migratory tactics in brown trout (Salmo trutta) are underpinned by divergent regulation of metabolic but not neurological genes
Authors: Wynne Robert , Archer Louise C. , Hutton Stephen A. , Harman Luke , Gargan Patrick , Moran Peter A. , Dillane Eileen , Coughlan Jamie , Cross Thomas F. , McGinnity Philip , Colgan Thomas J. , Reed Thomas E.
Published: June 2021

The occurrence of alternative morphs within populations is common, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Many animals, for example, exhibit facultative migration, where two or more alternative migratory tactics (AMTs) coexist within populations. In certain salmonid species, some individuals remain in natal rivers all their lives, while others (in particular, females) migrate to sea for a period of marine growth. Here, we performed transcriptional profiling (“RNA‐seq”) of the brain and liver of male and female brown trout to understand the genes and processes that differentiate between migratory and residency morphs (AMT‐associated genes) and how they may differ in expression between the sexes. We found tissue‐specific differences with a greater number of genes expressed differentially in the liver (n = 867 genes) compared with the brain (n = 10) between the morphs. Genes with increased expression in resident livers were enriched for Gene Ontology terms associated with metabolic processes, highlighting key molecular–genetic pathways underlying the energetic requirements associated with divergent migratory tactics. In contrast, smolt‐biased genes were enriched for biological processes such as response to cytokines, suggestive of possible immune function differences between smolts and residents. Finally, we identified evidence of sex‐biased gene expression for AMT‐associated genes in the liver (n = 12) but not the brain. Collectively, our results provide insights into tissue‐specific gene expression underlying the production of alternative life histories within and between the sexes, and point toward a key role for metabolic processes in the liver in mediating divergent physiological trajectories of migrants versus residents.
Spatial pattern of genetic diversity in field populations of Fusarium incarnatum‐equiseti species complex
Authors: Rampersad Sephra N.
Published: June 2021

Fusarium is associated with a number of wilt, blight, scab, and rot diseases in a range of economically important staple food crops worldwide. An assessment of the genetic structure and population stratification of Fusarium incarnatum‐equiseti species complex (FIESC) pathogen populations is important to understand the evolutionary potential of such populations in adapting to environmental change. Based on intersimple sequence repeat polymerase chain reaction (ISSR‐PCR), it was found that the pathogen population was structured into three genetic clusters for which genetic differentiation was higher within than among populations. There was high intrapopulation genetic diversity for population 1 (94.63%) which consisted largely of isolates collected from North Trinidad. Populations 2 and 3 had a low level of admixture among the populations based on overall population differentiation. Population 1 accounted for the highest amount of genetic variation (95.82%) followed by populations 2 and 3. Population stratification was reflected in the dendrogram topology, which consisted of three main genetic clusters and which coincided with the outcome of Bayesian and PCoA analyses. The populations were isolated by distance, and Voronoi tessellations indicated physical or structural barriers to gene flow which contributed to restricted admixture between two of three populations. These findings suggest a high evolutionary potential for this FIESC pathogen population, the implications of which directly affect disease management strategies.
Effect of aggressive diuresis in acute heart failure with reduced and preserved ejection fraction
Authors: He Xin , Dong Bin , Xue Ruicong , Zhao Jingjing , Wu Zexuan , Wu Yuzhong , Zhou Yuanyuan , Wu Dexi , Dong Yugang , He Jiangui , Liu Chen
Published: June 2021

Aims

Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) had distinct haemodynamic characteristics in the setting of acute heart failure. The aim of our study is to evaluate the differential response to aggressive diuresis in HFrEF and HFpEF.

Methods and results

Patients in the Diuretic Optimization Strategies Evaluation trial with left ventricular ejection fraction measurement were included (n = 300) and classified into HFrEF [left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 40%] (n = 193) and HFpEF (LVEF ≥ 40%) (n = 107). Effect of high‐dose vs. low‐dose furosemide strategy was compared separately in HFrEF and HFpEF. In HFrEF, high‐dose strategy did not increase change in creatinine or cystatin C at 72 h [treatment difference: −0.05, 95% confidence interval (CI): −0.14 to 0.03 mg/dL; P = 0.23 for creatinine, and treatment difference: −0.06, 95% CI: −0.15 to 0.02 mg/dL; P = 0.15 for cystatin C] compared with low‐dose strategy, but there were significantly more net fluid loss, weight loss, and congestion‐free patients at 72 h in high‐dose group. It was also associated with a significantly lower risk of composite clinical outcome of death, total hospitalizations, and unscheduled visits due to heart failure. In HFpEF, high‐dose strategy significantly increased change in creatinine and cystatin C at 72 h (treatment difference: 0.16; 95% CI: 0.02–0.30 mg/dL; P = 0.03 for creatinine, and treatment difference: 0.26; 95% CI: 0.09–0.43 mg/dL; P = 0.003 for cystatin C), but did not significantly affect net fluid loss, weight loss, proportion of congestion‐free patients at 72 h, and risk of the composite clinical outcome.

Conclusions

Acute heart failure on the basis of HFrEF and HFpEF responded differently to aggressive diuresis. Future trials should be designed separately for HFrEF and HFpEF.
Formation of Aromatic O‐Silylcarbamates from Aminosilanes and Their Subsequent Thermal Decomposition with Formation of Isocyanates
Authors: Gründler Franziska , Scholz Henrik , Herbig Marcus , Schwarzer Sandra , Wagler Jörg , Kroke Edwin
Published: June 2021

A novel phosgene‐free route to different isocyanates starts from CO2 and aminosilanes (cf. silylamines) to form so‐called carbamoyloxysilanes (O‐silylcarbamates), i. e., compounds with the general motif R1R2N−CO−O−SiR3R4R5 as potential precursors. We focused on the insertion reaction of CO2 into Si−N bonds of substrates with cyclic (mostly aromatic) amine substituents, i. e., PhNHSiMe3, (PhNH)2SiMe2, PhCH2NHSiMe3, p‐(MeO)C6H4NHSiMe3, o‐C6H4(NHSiMe3)2, 1,2‐C6H10(NHSiMe3)2, o‐C6H4(NHSiMe3)(CH2NHSiMe3) and 1,8‐C10H6(NHSiMe3)2. Compared to previously investigated aminosilanes these reactions are hindered due to the reduced nucleophilicity/basicity of the N‐atoms. Whereas slightly increased CO2 pressure (8 bar) and prolonged reaction times (24 h) were sufficient to overcome hindrance of the insertion into, e. g., PhNHSiMe3, intermolecular effects in some two‐fold NHSiMe3 functionalized substrates led to partial mono‐insertion (e. g., into o‐C6H4(NHSiMe3)(CH2NHSiMe3)) or intra‐molecular condensation of the intermediate insertion product in case of 1,8‐C10H6(NHSiMe3)2 to form 1H‐perimidin‐2(3H)‐one and other side products. Thermal treatment of mono‐silylated O‐silylcarbamates RHN−CO−O−SiR’3 resulted mainly in the formation of substituted ureas (RHN)2CO, whereas desired isocyanates could not be detected in these cases. Therefore, we continued our studies focussing on N,O‐bissilylated precursors, which were obtained by an additional N‐silylation of the O‐silylated carbamates. This allowed the successful formation of isocyanates. As a sole byproduct hexamethyldisiloxane is formed. In all cases, known as well as yet unknown substances were characterised by 1H, 13C and 29Si NMR spectroscopy, along with X‐ray diffraction analysis for crystallized solids.
Supercapacitor electrodes based on metal‐organic compounds from the first transition metal series
Authors: Chen Bulin , Xu Linli , Xie Zhiyuan , Wong Wai‐Yeung
Published: June 2021

Metal‐organic compounds, including molecular complexes and coordination polymers, have attracted much attention as electrode materials in supercapacitors owing to their large surface area, high porosity, tailorable pore size, controllable structure, good electrochemical reversibility, and abundant active sites. Among the variety of metal‐organic compounds exhibiting desired supercapacitor performances (high specific capacitance, long cycling life, high energy density, and power density), those with metals in the first transition metal series are the most studied due to their rich covalent states, light atom weight, environmental‐friendliness, non‐toxicity, and low cost. In this review, the recent reports on the metal‐organic compounds of the first transition metal series as electrode materials in supercapacitors are summarized and their electrode and device performances are discussed in terms of different metal elements and typical multidentate ligands. Moreover, the current challenges, design strategies, future opportunities and further research directions are also highlighted for metal‐organic compounds in the field of supercapacitors.

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Inter‐annual climate variability constrains rice genetic improvement in China
Authors: Li Xiaoxiao , Huang Liying , Peng Shaobing , Wang Fei
Published: June 2021

Yield potential has been significantly increased through hybrid rice breeding in the past, however, the genetic gain in grain yield is becoming marginal in recent years, especially in farmers’ field. The increase in climate variability is one potential reason for the stagnant rice grain yield. Moreover, overuse of nitrogen fertilizer and poor grain quality of hybrid rice reduce its advantage over inbred rice. The present study evaluated seventy‐eight elite hybrid varieties in 2014–2018 aiming to determine the climate variability and its influences on grain yield, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), and grain protein content of the newly bred rice hybrid varieties simultaneously. It was found that daily maximum and minimum temperature, daily radiation varied significantly across planting years. The extreme differences for Tmax, Tmin, and radiation were 2.0°C, 1.5°C, and 3.6 MJ m−2 d−1, respectively. Overall, grain yield of 22 varieties was significantly increased in comparison to that of the control cultivar Yangliangyou6 (YLY6), which was closely dependent on the planting year. Grain yield of these elite varieties ranged from 9.69 to 11.97 t ha−1, and NUE for grain production (NUEg) from 47.3 to 60.9 kg kg−1. The inter‐annual variation in grain yield, NUEg, and grain protein content was significantly related to the average daily minimum temperature (Tmin), due to its effects on grain filling percentage and harvest index. Moreover, these three properties are mutually correlated for all varieties across five years: grain yield positively correlated with NUEg (R2 = 0.46) and negatively correlated with protein content (R2 = 0.32), whereas NUEg negatively related to protein content (R2 = 0.49). These results suggest that enhancing the adaptation to climate variability in hybrid rice breeding is essential and urgent for sustainable rice production in China.
Improving liquidity in emission trading schemes
Authors: Kim Jihun , Park Kwangwoo
Published: June 2021

This paper constructs a model of an Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) market using bid‐ask spreads. We show that when such a market is dominated by a small number of traders with substantial market power, they tend to maximize their profits by widening bid‐ask spreads, thereby reducing market liquidity. We argue that adding more market participants, including derivatives traders, can alleviate this illiquidity problem. Policy changes at the European Union's ETS illustrate our theory, as the market significantly increased liquidity by enacting liquidity‐provision policies to attract more participants as it transitioned from Phase 1 to Phase 2.
The impact of retirement on mental health
Authors: Xie Lin , Shen Yingxi , Wu Yuanyang , Yang Hualei
Published: June 2021

After 2020, with Chinese baby boomers growing old, more and more working people will step into retirement. What kind of influence retirement behaviour will have on the mental health of the older adults and whether the existing findings of retirement on the mental health of the older adults are applicable to China's current conditions? The answers are related to the improvement of the well being of older adults and future policy orientation. Based on the China Family Tracking Survey data in 2016 and 2018, the paper employed the Ordinary Least Squares, Two Stage Least Squares, and Propensity Score Matching methods to investigate the effect of retirement on the mental health of older adults in China. Results show that retirement can significantly reduce the depression and has a positive impact on the their mental health, and no chronic diseases, poor economic status and shorter education years are conducive to improve mental health of the elderly. Further, the mechanisms differ between the sexes that while exercise is a positive mediator for both sexes, reading and family dinners are positive mediators for men but not for women.
LncRNA linc00152/NF‐κB feedback loop promotes fibroblast‐like synovial cells inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis via regulating miR‐103a/TAK1 axis and YY1 expression
Authors: Zhang Jian , Gao Fei‐Fei , Xie Jie
Published: June 2021

Introduction: Overexpressed inflammatory cytokines are the main factors causing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) tissue damage and pathological deterioration, and lncRNAs has found to beinvolved in some autoinflammatory diseases. Methods: We designed this study to investigate the effect of lncRNA linc00152 on rheumatoid arthritis inflammation and explore its molecular mechanism.Result: We found that linc00152 was not only up‐regulated in rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (RAFLS), but also stimulated by TNF‐α/IL‐1β in adose‐ and time‐dependent manner in RAFLS and this expression depends on the NF‐κB signaling pathway. Conversely, linc00152 promoted TNF‐α/IL‐1β expression in RAFLS induced by TNF‐α/IL‐1β. In addition, we found that linc00152 promoted TAK1 expression by targeting inhibition of miR‐103a and activated TAK1‐mediated NF‐κB pathway. NF‐kB indirectly promotes linc00152 expression by promoting the transcription activity of YY1, and YY1 directly promotes linc00152 expression by binding the promoter of linc00152. Conclusion: Our data suggested that the linc00152/NF‐κB feedback loop promotes RAFLS inflammation via regulating miR‐103a/TAK1 axis and YY1 expression. Thus, linc00152 acts as a switch to control this regulatory circuit and may serve as a diagnostic and therapeutic target for RA treatment.
Ferulic acid suppresses interleukin‐1β‐induced degeneration of chondrocytes isolated from patients with osteoarthritis through the SIRT1/AMPK/PGC‐1α signaling pathway
Authors: Du Kewei , Fang Xuchen , Li Ziqiang
Published: June 2021

Background

Interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) is involved in osteoarthritis pathogenesis and mediates a series of toxic processes including the production of matrix metalloproteinase and inflammatory regulators which are suppressed by activation of silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1). We aimed to determine the effects of ferulic acid (FA) on IL‐1β‐induced osteoarthritis chondrocyte degeneration.

Methods

We examined the effects of FA on osteoarthritis chondrocyte viability and SIRT1 activation. The impact of FA on IL‐1β‐induced osteoarthritis chondrocyte toxicity was determined by prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), nitrite, IL‐6, components of the extracellular matrix, and markers of oxidative stress. Finally, we determined whether these effects were mediated through SIRT1 by inhibiting SIRT1 activity using SIRT1 inhibitor Sirtinol.

Results

We found that FA activated SIRT1/AMPK/PGC‐1α signaling pathway and attenuated IL‐1β‐induced osteoarthritis chondrocyte degeneration by suppressing the production of IL‐6, PGE2, nitrite, Collagen I, Runx‐2, MMP‐1, MMP‐3, and MMP‐13, enhancing Collagen II and Aggrecan expression and inhibiting oxidative stress. Inhibition of SIRT1 by Sirtinol attenuated the protective effects of FA.

Conclusion

Our findings reveal that FA prevents IL‐1β‐induced osteoarthritis chondrocyte toxicity, which suggests that FA may be a potential therapy for osteoarthritis and warrants further investigation for its clinical application.
Pregnancy outcomes and factors affecting the clinical effects of emergency cerclage in twin pregnancies with cervical dilation and prolapsed membranes
Authors: Zeng Chanjuan , Liu Xinghui , Zhao Yanhua , Pei Chenlin , Fu Yimei , Wang Weinan , Li Yuanqiu , He Lei , Zhang Weishe
Published: June 2021

Objective

To determine the effect of mid‐trimester emergency cerclage in women with twin pregnancies with cervical dilation and prolapsed membranes, and to identify risk factors predicting spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) before 28 weeks, after cerclage.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of twin gestations with cervical dilation and prolapsed membranes treated with emergency cerclage or expectant management (2015–2020). The primary outcomes were the rate of sPTB before 28 weeks and the gestational latency. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with sPTB before 28 weeks, after cerclage.

Results

Ninety‐seven women were included, cerclage (n = 58) or no cerclage (n = 39). Cerclage placement was associated with significantly lower incidence of sPTB before 28 weeks of pregnancy (34.5% vs 82.1%) and prolongation of the gestational latency (46.71 ± 27.52 vs 10.95 ± 11.71 days). Positive cervical culture (odds ratio [OR] 10.69, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.82–62.95), pregnancy duration at diagnosis less than 22 weeks (OR 9.42; 95% CI 1.69–52.69) and cervical dilation at least 4 cm (OR 7.92; 95% CI 1.40–44.71) were found to be independent risk factors for sPTB before 28 weeks, after cerclage.

Conclusion

Emergency cerclage in women with twin pregnancies with cervical dilation and prolapsed membranes was associated with an overall 40% decrease in sPTB before 28 weeks and a prolongation of latency by 5 weeks. The strongest predictor of sPTB before 28 weeks after cerclage was a positive cervical culture.
Applying adherent DBT Principles to treatment in a partial hospital setting: An analysis over 5‐years of outcomes from intake to discharge
Authors: Lothes John E. , McCool Matison W. , Mochrie Kirk D. , Guendner Eric , St. John Jane
Published: June 2021

Objectives

A small number of studies to date have examined Partial Hospital (PH) that utilize a Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) model. Preliminary findings suggest DBT PH programs can be effective in various symptom reduction.

Methods

This study examined clinically relevant outcomes and included a heterogeneous clinical sample over a five‐year period. Specifically, the present study assessed pre–post data to examine changes in symptoms of depression, anxiety, hopelessness, and overall degree of suffering from intake to discharge in a DBT PH.

Results

Findings showed symptom reduction from intake to discharge for depression, anxiety, hopelessness, and suffering for all 5 years. This DBT PH program was successful at reducing various symptoms in a sample of psychiatric patients.

Conclusion

Clinicians might consider the advantages of placing patients in PH programs versus an inpatient stay or consider utilizing DBT‐informed PH programs after an inpatient hospitalization as a form of step‐down care.
Ectopic fat in liver and skeletal muscle is associated with shorter overall survival in patients with colorectal liver metastases
Authors: van Dijk David P.J. , Zhao Junfang , Kemter Katrin , Baracos Vickie E. , Dejong Cornelis H.C. , Rensen Sander S. , Olde Damink Steven W.M.
Published: June 2021

Background

Myosteatosis has been associated with shorter overall survival in cancer patients. The increase in ectopic fat might not be limited to skeletal muscle only and might also extend to other sites such as the liver, resulting in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In this study, we assessed the relationship between myosteatosis and NAFLD and their association with overall survival in patients with colorectal liver metastases undergoing partial hepatectomy.

Methods

Patients were selected from a prospective cohort of 289 consecutive patients with colorectal liver metastases. All patients with a preoperative computed tomography (CT)‐scan and liver biopsy obtained during surgery were included. If available a second pre‐operative CT scan was used to calculate changes in body composition over time. Muscle radiation attenuation was defined as the average Hounsfield units on CT of all muscle tissue at the L3 level. Liver biopsies were graded by a liver pathologist using the steatosis, activity, and fibrosis scoring system for NAFLD.

Results

Two‐hundred and eighteen patients had an available liver biopsy of which 131 patients had two available pre‐operative CT scans with an average time interval of 3.2 months. One‐hundred and thirty‐five (62%) biopsies were classified as NAFLD. In multivariable Cox‐regression analysis, NAFLD [hazard ratio (HR): 1.8, 95%‐confidence interval (CI) 1.0–3.0, P = 0.037], increase in myosteatosis (HR 1.8, 95%‐CI 1.1–2.9, P = 0.018), and skeletal muscle loss (HR 1.7, 95%‐CI 1.0–2.9, P = 0.035) were independently associated with shorter overall survival while high visceral adipose tissue fat content was associated with longer overall survival (HR: 0.7, 95%‐CI 0.5–0.9, P = 0.014).

Conclusions

Ectopic fat content of liver as well as skeletal muscle tissue is independently associated with shorter overall survival in patients with colorectal liver metastases, while increased visceral adipose tissue fat content is associated with longer overall survival.
Noninvasive measure of treatment response in non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis: Insights from EMMINENCE and meta‐analysis
Authors: Davison Beth A , Edwards Christopher , Loomba Rohit , Harrison Stephen A , Cotter Gad , Alkhouri Naim , Koch Gary G , Dittrich Howard C
Published: June 2021

Background and Aim

Liver histology changes are the current gold standard for evaluating non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), but are limited by their invasiveness and variability for sampling and interpretation. We evaluated noninvasive biomarkers as an indication of histologic changes in NASH.

Methods

Associations between 12‐month biomarker and NASH Clinical Research Network histologic score changes in 339 patients with NASH in the EMMINENCE trial was examined with multivariable models and partial canonical correlation. A meta‐analysis of 17 NASH trials including 3717 patients examined associations between these same changes and histologic response within treatment groups, and treatment effects on biomarkers and on liver histology. Biopsy measures assessed were changes in ballooning, steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis, NASH improvement without worsening of fibrosis, and fibrosis improvement without worsening of NASH. All analytic methods suggest that a combination of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), cytokeratin‐18 (CK‐18 [M30 or M65]), and hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) changes best predicts overall liver biopsy changes in response to interventions.

Results

The weighted average of standardized mean changes (0.403 × AST, 0.314 × CK‐18, 0.283 × HbA1c) facilitated comparisons of within‐group responses and treatment effects among studies included in the meta‐analysis. This composite in EMMINENCE discriminated between patients with and without NASH resolution without worsening fibrosis with area under the receiver‐operator characteristic curve of 0.7880, and for fibrosis improvement without NASH worsening of 0.7553.

Conclusion

A composite score based on changes in AST, HbA1c, and CK‐18 could serve as a surrogate for liver histologic improvement and an effective objective, noninvasive tool for comparative assessment of treatment effects of novel interventions.
Safety and immunogenicity of a first dose of SARS‐CoV‐2 mRNA vaccine in allogeneic hematopoietic stem‐cells recipients
Authors: Chevallier Patrice , Coste‐Burel Marianne , Le Bourgeois Amandine , Peterlin Pierre , Garnier Alice , Béné Marie C. , Imbert Berthe‐Marie , Drumel Thomas , Le Gouill Steven , Moreau Philippe , Mahe Beatrice , Dubruille Viviane , Blin Nicolas , Lok Anne , Touzeau Cyrille , Gastinne Thomas , Jullien Maxime , Vanthygem Sophie , Guillaume Thierry
Published: June 2021

This was a monocentric prospective study testing the efficacy and safety of a first injection of BNT162b2 (Pfizer‐BioNTech) in 112 Allo‐HSCT patients. Antibody response to SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein receptor‐binding domain was tested at the time of the second injection (Roche Elecsys). The study also included a non‐randomized control arm of 26 healthy controls. This study shows that a first dose of SARS‐CoV‐2 messenger RNA vaccine is safe and provides a 55% rate of seroconversion in allotransplanted patients compared to 100% for the controls (p < 0.001). Factors influencing the absence of response in patients were recent transplantation (<2 years), lymphopenia (<1 × 109/L) and immunosuppressive treatment or chemotherapy at the time of vaccination.
Variability of the precipitation over the Tianshan Mountains, Central Asia. Part II: Multi‐decadal precipitation trends and their association with atmospheric circulation in both the winter and summer seasons
Authors: Guan Xuefeng , Yao Junqiang , Schneider Christoph
Published: June 2021

The annual precipitation over the Tianshan Mountains experienced an inter‐decadal transition shift towards an increasing trend in the late 1980s. This study conducts attribution analysis from atmospheric circulation factors based on the Global Precipitation Climatology Centre (GPCC) dataset and NCEP/NACR reanalysis data. The results show that (a) Winter precipitation in the Tianshan Mountains is affected by multi‐decadal oscillations with periods of 26.8 and 44.7 years, and has entered a period of positive anomalies after 1988. Although the non‐linear trend of winter precipitation in the Tianshan Mountains firstly increased and then decreased after 1979, the multi‐decadal fluctuation of precipitation caused the Tianshan Mountains in winter to be in a wet period from the 1980s until 2011. (b) We find that the East Atlantic‐West Russia (EATL/WRUS) teleconnection pattern has a similar multi‐decadal variability as Tianshan precipitation in winter. The wet period of Tianshan in winter after 1988 is mainly due to the enhanced meridional feature of the EATL/WRUS triggering more water vapour flux from low‐latitude oceanic areas. (c) Summer precipitation in the Tianshan Mountains has an obvious multi‐decadal scale of 33.5 years and shows a non‐linear growth trend. Tianshan Mountains in summer entered a humid period after 1986. (d) The Scandinavia (SCAND) teleconnection pattern represents important circulation variability affecting Tianshan summer precipitation. The vigorous high pressure over the Ural Mountains and the low pressure over Central Asia during the SCAND negative phase in summer jointly lead to enhanced moisture transport from the Arctic Ocean to the Tianshan Mountains. (e) Apart from SCAND, the Silk Road pattern (SRP) and East Asia‐Pacific teleconnection (EAP) also impacted Tianshan summer precipitation during the periods 1964–1984 and 1985–2004.
Exploring controls of the early and stepped deglaciation on the western margin of the British Irish Ice Sheet
Authors: Benetti Sara , Chiverrell Richard C. , Cofaigh Colm Ó , Burke Matt , Medialdea Alicia , Small David , Ballantyne Colin , Bateman Mark D. , Callard S. Louise , Wilson Peter , Fabel Derek , Clark Chris D. , Arosio Riccardo , Bradley Sarah , Dunlop Paul , Ely Jeremy C. , Gales Jenny , Livingstone Stephen J. , Moreton Steven G. , Purcell Catriona , Saher Margot , Schiele Kevin , Van Landeghem Katrien , Weilbach Kasper
Published: June 2021

New optically stimulated luminescence dating and Bayesian models integrating all legacy and BRITICE‐CHRONO geochronology facilitated exploration of the controls on the deglaciation of two former sectors of the British–Irish Ice Sheet, the Donegal Bay (DBIS) and Malin Sea ice‐streams (MSIS). Shelf‐edge glaciation occurred ~27 ka, before the global Last Glacial Maximum, and shelf‐wide retreat began 26–26.5 ka at a rate of ~18.7–20.7 m a–1. MSIS grounding zone wedges and DBIS recessional moraines show episodic retreat punctuated by prolonged still‐stands. By ~23–22 ka the outer shelf (~25 000 km2) was free of grounded ice. After this time, MSIS retreat was faster (~20 m a–1 vs. ~2–6 m a–1 of DBIS). Separation of Irish and Scottish ice sources occurred ~20–19.5 ka, leaving an autonomous Donegal ice dome. Inner Malin shelf deglaciation followed the submarine troughs reaching the Hebridean coast ~19 ka. DBIS retreat formed the extensive complex of moraines in outer Donegal Bay at 20.5–19 ka. DBIS retreated on land by ~17–16 ka. Isolated ice caps in Scotland and Ireland persisted until ~14.5 ka. Early retreat of this marine‐terminating margin is best explained by local ice loading increasing water depths and promoting calving ice losses rather than by changes in global temperatures. Topographical controls governed the differences between the ice‐stream retreat from mid‐shelf to the coast.
Multiple Kerker Anapoles in Dielectric Microspheres
Authors: Sanz‐Fernández Cristina , Molezuelas‐Ferreras Martín , Lasa‐Alonso Jon , de Sousa Nuno , Zambrana‐Puyalto Xavier , Olmos‐Trigo Jorge
Published: June 2021

High refractive index dielectric spheres present remarkable light‐scattering properties in the spectral range dominated by dipolar modes. However, most of these properties are absent for larger spheres under plane wave illumination. Here, a proposal to unravel these dipolar regimes for larger particles under the illumination of a pure dipolar field is presented. This type of illumination ensures that the scattering response of the sphere is purely dipolar. In this scenario, it is shown that Kerker conditions are not only related to duality symmetry and a strong backward‐to‐forward asymmetric light‐scattering, but also to the appearance of non‐radiating sources: the so‐called hybrid anapoles. Finally, it is shown that all the above‐mentioned scattering features under dipolar illumination are reproducible with an experimentally accessible tightly‐focused Gaussian beam.
Myasthenia gravis exacerbation in association with antibody overshoot following plasmapheresis
Authors: Ching Jason , Richards Danielle , Lewis Richard A. , Li Yuebing
Published: June 2021

Introduction/Aim

Antibody overshoot following therapeutic plasmapheresis (PLEX) is defined by subsequent increase in antibody to levels exceeding those prior to removal. It has been infrequently described in the past, and its influence on the clinical course of myasthenia gravis (MG) remains unclear.

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis of five patients with generalized MG treated with PLEX.

Results

All five patients possessed antibodies against acetylcholine receptor (AChR‐Ab). After undergoing 3 to 12 PLEX treatment sessions, AChR‐Ab titer increased to a median of 1292% of the baseline level. The median interval from the last PLEX session to peak AChR‐Ab detection was 6 wk. In four patients, AChR‐Ab overshoot was associated with a clinical deterioration.

Discussion

The AChR‐Ab overshoot may occur following PLEX. In patients who deteriorate following PLEX treatment, the presence of antibody overshoot may serve as additional guidance for treatment adjustment.
ALS patient and caregiver attitudes toward physician‐hastened death in California
Authors: Hauswirth Anna G. , George Hannah C. , Lomen‐Hoerth Catherine
Published: June 2021

Introduction/Aims

Since 2016, six states have legalized physician‐hastened death (PHD). Neuromuscular disorders, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), are common diagnoses for patients who use PHD, but how patients with ALS view PHD in California has not been systematically studied. We aimed to quantify how many patients with ALS and their caregivers have considered PHD and to assess reasons to consider using or not using it.

Methods

This is a cross‐sectional study at one ALS center surveying patients with ALS and their caregivers. Data on disease characteristics, demographics, quality of life, and depression were also collected. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Qualitative data were also collected and analyzed. Patients were followed up longitudinally to assess if they died or if they used PHD.

Results

A small majority of ALS patients surveyed had considered or would consider using PHD (16/30). Patients most commonly described having intolerable symptoms, being a burden on their loved ones, and losing independence as reasons to consider using PHD. Many patients shared that “their life has purpose” and “they are making the most of their lives” as to why they are not considering PHD. Considering PHD was not related to disease severity or depression. On longitudinal follow‐up, 10 of the 30 patients have died, and none have used PHD.

Discussion

Pursuing PHD is a personal decision for each individual patient. This study shows that considering PHD is relatively common in ALS patients, independent of disease severity or presence of depression.
Relative effects of forced vital capacity and ALSFRS‐R on survival in ALS
Authors: Daghlas Salah A. , Govindarajan Raghav ,   the Pooled Resource Open‐Access ALS Clinical Trials Consortium
Published: June 2021

Introduction/Aim

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a degenerative neuromuscular disease with marked clinical heterogeneity. This heterogeneity can be partly captured by clinical measures, such as the forced vital capacity (FVC) and ALS Functional Rating Scale‐Revised (ALSFRS‐R). We aimed to further characterize the performance of these clinical measures, including their independence and additivity, in predicting mortality.

Methods

We leveraged the Pooled Resource Open‐Access ALS Clinical Trials (PRO‐ACT ALS) database, which includes data from 23 clinical trials (n = 2050). The primary exposures were baseline FVC and ALSFRS‐R. The primary outcome was 1‐y mortality. We performed correlation analyses, survival analyses and assessed classification performance using receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves.

Results

FVC and ALSFRS‐R were weakly correlated (r = 0.31, p < .001). A 1‐SD increase in FVC (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.59–0.74) and ALSFRS‐R (HR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.68–0.82) were associated with reduced risk of 1‐y mortality. ROC analyses showed optimal predictive cutoffs at 80% for FVC (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.69) and 38 for ALSFRS‐R (AUC: 0.67). After stratifying patients based on these cutoffs, we found a marked reduction (HR: 0.25; 95% CI: 0.19–0.33) in incident mortality for patients in the high FVC and high ALSFRS‐R group relative to the low FVC and low ALSFRS‐R group.

Discussion

ALSFRS‐R and FVC are comparable predictors of survival that are only weakly correlated. When considered together, they synergistically predict survival. As such, consideration of both measures should be a routine part of prognostication in care of patients with ALS.
Impact of subcutaneous immunoglobulin on quality of life in patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy previously treated with intravenous immunoglobulin
Authors: Vu Tuan , Anthony Natalie , Alsina Raul , Harvey Brittany , Schleutker Allison , Farias Jerrica , Dang Samuel , Suresh Niraja , Gooch Clifton
Published: June 2021

Introduction/Aims

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is a common therapy for patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). IVIg may cause systemic adverse events (AEs); therefore, infusion of subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg) may be preferred by some patients. In this study we document the experiences of patients transitioning from IVIg to SCIg.

Methods

Transitioning subjects with CIDP were followed in a 6‐month prospective, open‐label study. The primary endpoint was percentage of subjects who withdrew for any reason (including significant AEs). The secondary endpoint was symptom progression or relapse requiring a change in management. Quality of life (QOL) and treatment satisfaction were assessed using the Short Form 36‐item Health Survey (SF‐36), Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM), and Chronic Acquired Polyneuropathy Patient‐Reported Index (CAP‐PRI). Efficacy was assessed using the Inflammatory Rasch‐built Overall Disability Scale, hand‐held dynamometry, limb motor strength testing (LMST), and timed 25‐ft walk (T25‐FW).

Results

Fifteen CIDP subjects transitioned from IVIg to SCIg. Of these, three (20%) met the primary endpoint and one (7%) met the secondary endpoint. The SF‐36 showed a statistically significant improvement for the domain of role limitations‐physical after 24 weeks (P = .03), with no significant differences observed in other domains. TSQM and CAP‐PRI showed significant differences in favor of SCIg (P = .003 and .02, respectively). No significant differences were observed in efficacy after 24 weeks, except for LMST, which favored SCIg (P = .003). Eight of the 12 study completers (67%) continued with SCIg.

Discussion

Transition to SCIg was associated with maintained efficacy and improved QOL.
Double delay alternating with nutation for tailored excitation facilitates banding‐free isotropic high‐resolution intracranial vessel wall imaging
Authors: Coolen Bram F. , Schoormans Jasper , Gilbert Guillaume , Kooreman Ernst S. , de Winter Naomi , Viessmann Olivia , Zwanenburg Jaco J. M. , Majoie Charles B. L. M. , Strijkers Gustav J. , Nederveen Aart J. , Siero Jeroen C. W.
Published: June 2021

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of a double delay alternating with nutation for tailored excitation (D‐DANTE)‐prepared sequence for banding‐free isotropic high‐resolution intracranial vessel wall imaging (IC‐VWI) and to compare its performance with regular DANTE in terms of signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) as well as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood suppression efficiency. To this end, a D‐DANTE–prepared 3D turbo spin echo sequence was implemented by interleaving two separate DANTE pulse trains with different RF phase‐cycling schemes, but keeping all other DANTE parameters unchanged, including the total number of pulses and total preparation time. This achieved a reduction of the banding distance compared with regular DANTE enabling banding‐free imaging up to higher resolutions. Bloch simulations assuming static vessel wall and flowing CSF spins were performed to compare DANTE and D‐DANTE in terms of SNR and vessel wall/CSF contrast. Similar image quality measures were assessed from measurements on 13 healthy middle‐aged volunteers. Both simulation and in vivo results showed that D‐DANTE had only slightly lower vessel wall/CSF and vessel wall/blood contrast‐to‐noise ratio values compared with regular DANTE, which originated from a 10%–15% reduction in vessel wall SNR but not from reduced CSF or blood suppression efficiency. As anticipated, IC‐VWI acquisitions showed that D‐DANTE can successfully remove banding artifacts compared with regular DANTE with equal scan time or DANTE preparation length. Moreover, application was demonstrated in a patient with an intracranial aneurysm, indicating improved robustness to slow flow artifacts compared with clinically available 3D turbo spin echo scans. In conclusion, D‐DANTE provides banding artifact‐free IC‐VWI up to higher isotropic resolutions compared with regular DANTE. This allows for a more flexible choice of DANTE preparation parameters in high‐resolution IC‐VWI protocols.
Perceptions of bribery in Papua New Guinea’s public sector: Agency and structural influences
Authors: Tiki Samson , Luke Belinda , Mack Janet
Published: June 2021

This study explores the perceptions of bribery among senior public servants within Papua New Guinea’s (PNG’s) government departments. Using structuration theory, consideration is given to individual, cultural and organisational factors influencing bribery, based on interviews with 11 senior public servants from three government departments. Findings reveal that most public servants acknowledged bribery exists in PNG’s public sector. Perceptions of and perceived reasons for bribery typically reflected prioritisation of personal agency influenced by traditional and organisational (public sector) cultural norms, rather than responsibilities and accountabilities as agents operating within formal public sector structures.
Sickle cell disease and COVID‐19: Susceptibility and severity
Authors: Sayad Babak , Karimi Mehran , Rahimi Zohreh
Published: June 2021

We surveyed published papers and an international sickle cell disease (SCD) registry to detect susceptibility and clinical course of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) in SCD patients. COVID‐19 presentation was mild in children and moderate in many SCD adults. Regarding increased comorbidities with age, it seems severe COVID‐19 to be more common in older SCD patients. Although the overall outcome of COVID‐19 was favorable in SCD children, a high rate of pediatric intensive care unit admission should be considered in managing these patients. To explain COVID‐19 outcome in SCD patients, the possible benefits of hydroxyurea therapy could be considered. The obtained results should be interpreted, considering low cases from sub‐Saharan people, younger age of SCD patients compared to general population, a bias toward registry of the more severe form of disease, the effect of pre‐existing comorbidities with multisystem organ damage, and the role of health socio‐economic determinants.
Selection of substrate manufacturing techniques of polyamine‐based thin‐film composite membranes for forward osmosis process
Authors: Ndiaye Issa , Chaoui Imane , Vaudreuil Sébastien , Bounahmidi Tijani
Published: June 2021

This paper is a comparative study on the preparation techniques used to make the support layer of polyamide‐thin‐film composite forward osmosis (TFC‐FO) membranes. The role played by the support layer preparation technique in membrane performance is thoroughly investigated in this study. Electrospinning is shown to produce membranes of lower structural parameter compared to those obtained by conventional phase inversion techniques. The electrospun polyamide selective layer can also be tailored with the required properties. This makes electrospinning a promising process to design efficient FO membrane substrates. It is shown in this work that the FO water flux is more dependent on the internal structure of the support layer than the preparation materials. The main challenge remaining for substrates to operate in FO is to achieve simultaneously a low structural parameter, a high surface porosity, and the required mechanical properties. As most of today's approaches are not suitable, further materials development is essential in future investigations on TFC‐FO membranes.
Modulation of stimuli‐responsiveness toward acid vapor between real‐time and write‐erase responses based on conjugated polymers containing azobenzene and Schiff base moieties
Authors: Kato Taichi , Gon Masayuki , Tanaka Kazuo , Chujo Yoshiki
Published: June 2021

We developed three types of film‐type stimuli‐responsive polymers based on aza‐substituted conjugated polymers involving azobenzene, N_bith, N_fluo and Schiff base moieties, C_bith. All polymer films showed bathochromic shifts in absorption spectra followed by chromic behaviors by fuming trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). In particular, we disclosed that there were three significant differences on acid detecting ability between azobenzene and Schiff base derivatives in terms of absorption wavelengths, stability, and proton holding time. The azobenzene polymers exhibited real‐time responses toward vapor fuming, meanwhile write and erase chromic behaviors were reversibly accomplished with the Schiff base polymer by exposing to acid and amine vapor. Theoretical calculation revealed that red‐shifted absorption bands should be induced by protonation on nitrogen atoms in the aza‐substituted positions. Diverse responses through dynamic regulation of electronic properties of main‐chain conjugation can be accomplished by introducing the aza‐substituents in polymers.