bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantitative assessment of viral load in the blood and urine of patients with congenital cytomegalovirus infection using droplet digital PCR
Authors: Yamaguchi Makoto , Kawada Jun‐ichi , Torii Yuka , Haruta Kazunori , Suzuki Takako , Horiba Kazuhiro , Takahashi Yoshiyuki , Ito Yoshinori
Published: May 2022

Congenital cytomegalovirus infection (cCMV) is a common cause of congenital infections, leading to neurodevelopmental sequelae. Real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) has been widely used for the diagnosis and assessment of cCMV; however, the correlation between CMV DNA load and the severity of cCMV symptoms has been inconclusive. Droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) offers an improvement over the current qPCR methods through the absolute quantification of viral loads. We compared ddPCR and qPCR results for the quantification of CMV DNA in blood and urine specimens from 39 neonates with cCMV (21 symptomatic and 18 asymptomatic). There was no significant difference in blood CMV DNA loads measured by ddPCR and qPCR, with or without any clinical findings. However, developmental delays at 36 months were significantly more frequently observed in patients with high CMV DNA loads (≥2950 copies/ml), as measured by ddPCR at diagnosis, than in those with lower CMV DNA loads. The association of urine CMV DNA load with symptoms and developmental delay was not observed. CMV DNA loads in the blood might be used as a predictor of developmental outcomes in cCMV patients, and absolute quantitation of viral loads by ddPCR assay could contribute to the standardization of CMV load measurement.
Relationship between the subgingival microbiome and menopausal hormone therapy use: The Buffalo OsteoPerio study
Authors: Soliman Ahmed I. , LaMonte Michael J. , Hovey Kathleen M. , McSkimming Daniel I. , Andrews Chris A. , Diaz Patricia I. , Buck Michael J. , Sun Yijun , Millen Amy E. , Wactawski‐Wende Jean
Published: May 2022

Background

This study investigated the association between menopausal hormone therapy (HT) use and the subgingival microbiome, for which published information is limited.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study included 1270 postmenopausal women, aged 53–81 years, who completed clinical examinations. Detailed information on HT use (type, delivery mode, duration) was obtained from questionnaires. HT use was categorized into three groups (never, former, current). 16S rRNA sequencing was performed on subgingival plaque samples obtained during dental examinations. Operational taxonomic units were centered log2‐ratio (CLR) transformed to account for the compositional data structure. Analysis of variance was used to compare mean microbial relative abundances across HT categories with Benjamini‐Hochberg correction.

Results

Significantly higher alpha diversity (Shannon Index) and beta diversity (Aitchison distance) was observed in never compared with current HT users (p < 0.05, each). Of the total 245 microbial taxa identified, 18 taxa differed significantly among the three HT groups, 11 of which were higher in current users and seven of which were lower in current users as compared with never users (p < 0.05, each). Differences in relative abundance between never and current HT users were materially unchanged after adjustment for age, body mass index, and oral hygiene.

Conclusions

Relative abundance of several subgingival bacteria differed significantly between never and current HT users in a cohort of postmenopausal women. Additional studies are needed to determine the extent that these relationships might account for the previously reported inverse association between HT use and periodontal disease in older women.
Impact of COVID‐19 pandemic on pharmacist‐led allergy assessments and penicillin skin testing
Authors: Spivey Justin , Deri Connor R. , Wrenn Rebekah H. , Turner Nicholas A.
Published: May 2022

Allergy assessments and penicillin skin testing are associated with reductions in high‐Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI)‐risk antibiotic use and lower hospital‐acquired CDI rates; however, these activities require substantial personnel and resource allocation. Recently, many antimicrobial stewardship programs’ (ASPs) focus shifted towards supporting the COVID‐19 pandemic response. We evaluated the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on a pharmacist‐led allergy assessment and penicillin skin testing program. Patients undergoing allergy assessment and/or penicillin skin testing (PST) from 1 January 2017 through 30 April 2021 were included for review. Monthly PST and allergy assessment rates were calculated and defined as the number of PSTs or allergy assessments per 1000 unique patient encounters for each month, respectively. The study used interrupted time series regression to assess potential level and slope changes in allergy assessments and PSTs during the pandemic. 200 058 total inpatient encounters by 188 867 unique patients occurred during the study period. ASP performed 918 allergy assessments and 204 PSTs. The local onset of the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic during March 2020 was associated with significant level reductions in allergy assessments and PSTs. Additional responsibilities added to the ASP team during the COVID‐19 pandemic limited the ability to perform core antimicrobial stewardship activities with proven patient care benefits.
Effects of high‐hydrostatic pressure and high‐pressure homogenization on the biological activity of cabbage dietary fiber
Authors: Chen Yu‐Rou , Wu Sz‐Jie
Published: May 2022

BACKGROUND

Cabbage is one of the most economical cooked vegetables in terms of its relatively low price and high nutritional value. It is rich in dietary fiber, multivitamins, and a variety of anti‐oxidants. In this study, we compared the effects of high‐hydrostatic pressure (HHP) and high‐pressure homogenization (HPH) treatments on changes in composition and physiological functions of cabbage dietary fiber.

RESULTS

The total dietary fiber content (36.06 ± 1.65%) and nitrite ion adsorption capacity (2.37 ± 0.01 μmol·g−1) of HHP‐treated cabbage powder were higher than those of untreated cabbage powder. The soluble dietary fiber content (36.18 ± 0.89%) and the emulsifying activity (36.18 ± 0.89%) and emulsifying stability (47.88 ± 4.35%) of HPH‐treated cabbage powder were higher than those of untreated cabbage powders. The significant reduction in particle size induced by the high‐pressure treatments caused differences in the properties of the treated and untreated cabbage powder samples. Scanning electronic microscopy analysis revealed that the microstructure of the HPH‐treated cabbage powder changed from patches to fine granules with concave‐convex markings on the surface, and that the surface area was significantly higher than that of the untreated cabbage powder. The high‐pressure‐treated cabbage powder has good homogeneity sensory properties after rehydration. Moreover, the changes in the properties of cabbage powder induced by the high‐pressure treatments caused the cholesterol adsorption capacity and glucose dialysis retardation index of the treated cabbage powders to be higher than those of the untreated cabbage powder.

CONCLUSION

In summary, high‐pressure processing and micronization of cabbage can render it a multifunctional source of dietary fiber. We believe that this study provides a new method for processing and using leftover vegetables. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Construction of in vitro fermentation model using gut microbiota relating to glucose and lipid metabolism: a supplementary method for initial screening of polysaccharides with hypoglycemic potentials
Authors: Fan Jiaqi , Lin Lianzhu , Zhao Mouming
Published: May 2022

BACKGROUND

Besides in vitro fecal fermentation model, a few supplementary methods have been constructed for high‐throughput screening of polysaccharides with hypoglycemic potentials. The purpose of this study was to establish a co‐culture fermentation model constructed by gut microbiota relating to glucose and lipid metabolism as a supplementary method for comparatively evaluating the proliferative effects and hypoglycemic potentials of typical plant polysaccharides, e.g. konjac glucomannan, Lycium barbarum L. polysaccharide, oat glucan and alga‐derived fucoidan.

RESULTS

The results showed that the mixing culture medium of butyrate‐producing bacteria, Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus at a ratio of 50:40:9:1 was optimal. This testing model in line with quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and metabolite analysis multi‐dimensionally differentiated four polysaccharides possessing different behaviors on proliferation of total bacteria and specific genus or strain and accumulation of short chain fatty acids.

CONCLUSION

Our study provided crucial data for establishing an initial screening method for proliferative effect/specific structure‐oriented extraction of polysaccharide with hypoglycemic potential. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Personalization in personalized marketing: Trends and ways forward
Authors: Chandra Shobhana , Verma Sanjeev , Lim Weng Marc , Kumar Satish , Donthu Naveen
Published: May 2022

In marketing, personalization is the action of designing and producing in ways that resonate with customer preferences. Content and products that are personalized according to customer preferences can reduce customer fatigue and time in making choices, thereby decreasing their cognitive load. Despite its importance, the literature on personalized marketing remains fragmented due to the absence of a comprehensive review that consolidates the intellectual structure of the field. This study bridges this knowledge gap through a bibliometric review using performance analysis and science mapping. Through a comprehensive review of 383 publications, this study reveals the publication and citation trends, the most prolific authors, journals, and publications, and six major themes (i.e., personalized recommendation, personalized relationship, personalization–privacy paradox, personalized advertising, personalization concept and discourse in marketing, and customer insights in personalized marketing) that characterize the body of knowledge of personalized marketing. The study concludes with future research directions as ways forward for personalized marketing, wherein a focus on new‐age technologies involving artificial intelligence, big data, blockchain, internet of things, and wearables is encouraged to explore new ways to curate personalized experiences across online and offline channels.
Mass spectrometry in food authentication and origin traceability
Authors: Dou Xinjing , Zhang Liangxiao , Yang Ruinan , Wang Xiao , Yu Li , Yue Xiaofeng , Ma Fei , Mao Jin , Wang Xiupin , Zhang Wen , Li Peiwu
Published: May 2022

Food authentication and origin traceability are popular research topics, especially as concerns about food quality continue to increase. Mass spectrometry (MS) plays an indispensable role in food authentication and origin traceability. In this review, the applications of MS in food authentication and origin traceability by analyzing the main components and chemical fingerprints or profiles are summarized. In addition, the characteristic markers for food authentication are also reviewed, and the advantages and disadvantages of MS‐based techniques for food authentication, as well as the current trends and challenges, are discussed. The fingerprinting and profiling methods, in combination with multivariate statistical analysis, are more suitable for the authentication of high‐value foods, while characteristic marker‐based methods are more suitable for adulteration detection. Several new techniques have been introduced to the field, such as proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry, ambient ionization mass spectrometry (AIMS), and ion mobility mass spectrometry, for the determination of food adulteration due to their fast and convenient analysis. As an important trend, the miniaturization of MS offers advantages, such as small and portable instrumentation and fast and nondestructive analysis. Moreover, many applications in food authentication are using AIMS, which can help food authentication in food inspection/field analysis. This review provides a reference and guide for food authentication and traceability based on MS.
Wide transmission band rasorber of center‐connected pattern with multi‐resonators
Authors: Lu Zeguo , Wei Jianfeng , Ye Hang , Zhang Hao , Dai Wentao , Bie Shaowei , Jiang Jianjun
Published: May 2022

A wide‐transmission band rasorber is proposed in this letter. The structure consists of an lossy layer and a lossless layer. Since we find that the center‐connected pattern can achieve a wider bandwidth than the loop pattern, the lossy layer abandons the traditional loop pattern but uses a center‐connected pattern to cascade multiple resonators. In addition, we proposed a new co‐use resonator to further broaden the bandwidth. The simulated results show that the proposed rasorber has a transmission band (S21 〉 −1 dB) from 6.3 to 8.57 GHz, and the absorption band (S11 〈 −10 dB) is from 1.9 to 5 GHz. A prototype was fabricated and measured to validate our design. The simulated and measured results show good agreement, which prove the effectiveness of our design method. Compared with the previous FSRs, the proposed FSR yields a wider relative bandwidth with fewer resonators and can be fabricated more easily.
A review of planting principles to identify the right place for the right tree for ‘net zero plus’ woodlands: Applying a place‐based natural capital framework for sustainable, efficient and equitable (SEE) decisions
Authors: Bateman Ian J. , Anderson Karen , Argles Arthur , Belcher Claire , Betts Richard A. , Binner Amy , Brazier Richard E. , Cho Frankie H. T. , Collins Rebecca M. , Day Brett H. , Duran‐Rojas Carolina , Eisenbarth Sabrina , Gannon Kate , Gatis Naomi , Groom Ben , Hails Rosie , Harper Anna B. , Harwood Amii , Hastings Astley , Heard Matthew S. , Hill Timothy C. , Inman Alex , Lee Christopher F. , Luscombe David J. , MacKenzie Angus R. , Mancini Mattia C. , Morison James I. L. , Morris Aaron , Quine Chris P. , Snowdon Pat , Tyler Charles R. , Vanguelova Elena I. , Wilkinson Matthew , Williamson Daniel , Xenakis Georgios
Published: May 2022

We outline the principles of the natural capital approach to decision making and apply these to the contemporary challenge of very significantly expanding woodlands as contribution to attaining net zero emissions of greenhouse gases.

Drawing on the case of the UK, we argue that a single focus upon carbon storage alone is likely to overlook the other ‘net zero plus’ benefits which woodlands can deliver.

A review of the literature considers the wide variety of potential benefits which woodlands can provide, together with costs such as foregone alternative land uses.

We argue that decision making must consider all of these potential benefits and costs for the right locations to be planted with the right trees.

The paper closes by reviewing the decision support systems necessary to incorporate this information into policy and decision making.

Read the freePlain Language Summaryfor this article on the Journal blog.
In situ photo‐crosslinked hydrogels prepared from acrylated 4‐arm‐poly(ethylene glycol)‐poly(ε‐caprolactone) block copolymers for local cancer therapy
Authors: Wang Yuandou , Wang Shuxin , Hu Wenju , Su Feng , Liu Fusheng , Li Suming
Published: May 2022

Amphiphilic block copolymers were synthesized by ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone (ε‐CL) using 4‐arm poly(ethylene glycol) (4aPEG) as macroinitiator. 4aPEG and 4aPEG‐PCL copolymers were end functionalized by introducing acrylic groups, and characterized using NMR, GPC, FT‐IR and DSC analyses. Photo‐crosslinked hydrogels were prepared by irradiation of acrylated polymer solutions under visible light (405 nm), using lithium phenyl‐2,4,6‐trimethylbenzoy‐lphosphinate (LAP) as a photoinitiator. In situ gelation was achieved by subcutaneous injection of LAP containing copolymer solution into the abdomen of mice, followed by exposure to visible light. The hydrogels exhibit highly porous structure, high swelling up to 3300%, and excellent biocompatibility. The swelling ratio decreases with increase of poly(ɛ‐caprolactone) (PCL) block length and polymer concentration of hydrogels. Doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX·HCl) was loaded in hydrogels by soaking dried gel in a DOX solution. The drug loading efficiency is dependent on the swelling performance, reaching a maximum of 94.3%. In vitro drug release studies showed a burst release for the first 6 h, followed by a slower release up to 82% at 28 days. The release rate decreased with increase of hydrophobic block length or polymer concentration of hydrogels. Higher anti‐cancer activity on A549 lung cancer cells was obtained for hydrogels with higher drug concentration, and shorter PCL block length. Therefore, 4aPEG‐PCL hydrogels with outstanding biocompatibility, in situ gelation and prolonged drug release could be very promising for long‐term local cancer therapy.
Australian teacher stress, well‐being, self‐efficacy, and safety during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Billett Paulina , Turner Kristina , Li Xia
Published: May 2022

The 2020 COVID pandemic radically altered the way in which individuals live and work. For teachers, this entailed a shift in their teaching practice, with large numbers of schools around Australia and the world closing for prolonged periods of time and moving to an “online” format. This required teachers to quickly adapt their teaching practices adding further stress to an already stressful environment. In this article, we examine the relationships between teachers' stress, teachers' self‐efficacy, and teachers' well‐being during the COVID pandemic. The study presents the results from a quantitative survey undertaken in June and July 2020 with 534 teachers around Australia. While the study found that, overall, most teachers (77.29%) reported that they were not feeling anxious in their teaching role, teachers' responses indicated that they were experiencing high levels of stress and low levels of positive feelings such as joy, positivity, and contentment in their work during the COVID‐19 pandemic negatively impacting their well‐being and self‐efficacy.
Collaborative approaches to autism spectrum disorder assessment
Authors: Dale Brittany A. , Bray Melissa A.
Published: May 2022

With the rising prevalence rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), school and clinical psychologists must be abreast of the current research on assessment to determine diagnosis or educational eligibility. This is the first of a double special issue focusing on assessment of individuals with ASD. Within the school setting, collaboration is at the core of special education eligibility assessment. This introduction highlights the role of collaboration in the assessment process. Collaborative approaches help school psychologists determine the best assessment plan, understand the diversity, equity, and inclusive needs of children with ASD, and can assist in determining if alternative methods (i.e., telehealth) are appropriate.
Force sense deficits in chronic ankle instability: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Xue Xiao'ao , Chen Ziyi , Xuan Wenkai , Tao Weichu , Jin Zhengbiao , Hua Yinghui
Published: May 2022

Objective

Patients with chronic ankle instability (CAI) may experience ankle force sense deficits due to mechanoreceptor injury and proprioceptive deafferentation in the affected ankles. This study aimed to systematically review the literature and investigate (1) whether patients with CAI have impaired force sense when compared with uninjured contralateral sides or healthy controls, and (2) which characteristics of CAI (e.g., any measurement of CAI symptoms, clinical questionnaires, or functional tests on the injured ankles) are correlated with force sense deficits.

Type

Systematic review and meta‐analysis.

Literature Survey

PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus were searched for ankle‐related, injury‐related, and force sense‐related terms from inception to February 2, 2022.

Methodology

The following information was extracted from included articles: demographic data, sample size, selection criteria, methodology, force reproduction test outcomes, and correlations between force sense and other characteristics of CAI. Meta‐analyses were conducted for the force sense outcomes, and a narrative review was undertaken for the correlation between force sense deficits and other characteristics of CAI.

Synthesis

Eight studies were included. The meta‐analyses revealed eversion force sense deficits of the injured ankles in absolute error (magnitude of force reproduction error) at 20% maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC) (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.23–1.11) and variable error (consistency of force reproduction) at 30% MVIC (SMD = 0.46, 95% CI 0.07–0.85), as compared with healthy controls. None of the included studies reported a significant correlation between these two deficits and other characteristics of CAI.

Conclusions

Patients with CAI have eversion force sense deficits in the magnitude of force reproduction error at 20% MVIC and the consistency of force reproduction at 30% MVIC.
Evolving aphasia: trajectories of neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Heartshorne Rosie , Larner Andrew J
Published: May 2022

Aphasia, an acquired disorder of language function, may sometimes be an early and isolated sign of neurodegenerative disease or may sometimes evolve in the course of an existing neurodegenerative disorder. We present two cases in which aphasia progressively evolved, one in the context of an existing non‐linguistic cognitive disorder, and one in which aphasia was the presenting symptom. Awareness of the trajectory of neurodegenerative disorders is required when assessing patients longitudinally in clinics devoted to the assessment of cognitive disorders.
Ponesimod for the treatment of relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis
Authors: Gaber Tarek A‐Z K , Eltemamy Marwa
Published: May 2022

Gone are the days when neurologists considering disease modifying therapy for their patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) could only access a handful of agents that are easy to compare. This charmingly simple situation has rapidly evolved to an increased ability to access a variety of agents that are potentially suitable for the equally complex spectrum of RRMS syndromes with different clinical and radiological features. The approval of ponesimod by NICE as a first‐ or second‐line treatment for RRMS is another welcomed addition to the current agents available.
Binge eating disorder and type 2 diabetes: epidemiology and treatment approaches
Authors: Yahya Ahmed Saeed , Khawaja Shakil , Williams Paul Simon , Naguib Meena
Published: May 2022

Binge eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) but remains underdiagnosed and undertreated. Here, the authors review the latest epidemiological findings and highlight the importance of early intervention and robust screening for BED in those with a diagnosis of T2D. The need for better‐quality studies that focus on the diagnosis, management and prognostic outcomes of BED in T2D is also revealed.
Use of clozapine for psychosis and chorea in Huntington's disease systematic narrative review
Authors: Wildridge Bethany , Rozewicz Samuel , Mohamed Ashma , James Joel , Connolly Gerard
Published: May 2022

The degenerative nature of Huntington's disease drastically reduces quality of life for sufferers while limiting life expectancy itself. Among other sequalae, psychosis and chorea remain persistently difficult disease manifestations to manage for patients. Clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic medication with a multineuroreceptor affinity, which gives it a broad range of action. Clozapine has been documented to have good remedial actions on chorea and psychosis in patients with Huntington's disease. Here the authors make the case for further research.
A Review of the Synthesis, Properties, and Applications of 2D Materials
Authors: Shanmugam Vigneshwaran , Mensah Rhoda Afriyie , Babu Karthik , Gawusu Sidique , Chanda Avishek , Tu Yongming , Neisiany Rasoul Esmaeely , Försth Michael , Sas Gabriel , Das Oisik
Published: May 2022

In the modern age of nanotechnology, the discovery of graphene has opened up the way to study and develop of several novel 2D materials. The unique physical and chemical properties of 2D materials have enhanced their research, making them superior to the commercial bulk materials used in various applications. Efforts have been made in the current study to present an overview of the intrinsic properties of these materials. Furthermore, synthesis and applications are also reviewed and discussed. Finally, the future outlook of 2D materials is discussed to enhance the research and performance of these materials, which can result in broader applications benefitting the electrical and electronics industries and society. Intensive research into 2D materials is expected to lead to the discovery of new materials with enhanced properties that will benefit the industry and society at large.
Protein folding and unfolding: proline cis‐trans isomerization at the c subunits of F1FO‐ATPase might open a high conductance ion channel
Authors: Nesci Salvatore
Published: May 2022

The c subunits, which constitute the c‐ring apparatus of the F1FO‐ATPase, could be the main components of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP). The well‐known modulator of the mPTP formation and opening is the cyclophilin D (CyPD), a peptidyl‐prolyl cis‐trans isomerase. On the loop, which connects the two hairpin α‐helix of c subunit, is present the unique proline residue (Pro40) that could be a biological target of CyPD. Indeed, the proline cis‐trans isomerization might provide the switch that interconverts the open/closed states of the pore by pulling out the c‐ring lipid plug.
Influence of the ocean on tropical cyclone intensity using a high resolution coupled atmosphere–ocean model: A case study of very severe cyclonic storm Ockhi over the North Indian Ocean
Authors: Mohanty Shyama , Nadimpalli Raghu , Joseph Sudheer , Srivastava Akhil , Das Ananda K. , Mohanty Uma C. , Sil Sourav
Published: May 2022

A very severe cyclonic storm (VSCS), Ockhi was conceived in the Bay of Bengal and moved over the Arabian Sea undergoing rapid intensification (RI) in the early stages of its life cycle. Ockhi is simulated using the high‐resolution coupled Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model and the Hurricane Weather Research Forecast model. The study suggests that sea surface temperature warmer than the seasonal climatological mean with the availability of a large tropical cyclone heat potential (TCHP) has acted as a potential cause for RI when the TC moved over that region. We have conducted experiments with (CP) and without (UCP) ocean coupling. The predicted tracks of UCP and CP experiments agree well with the India Meteorological Department's best track data. However, CP showed a significant improvement in intensity prediction with 61 and 19% for mean sea level pressure and maximum sustained surface wind at 10 m respectively in comparison to UCP. The presence of thermal and haline stratification in the subsurface affects surface cooling. The subsurface turbulent heat flux calculated for the high‐TCHP region under the TC suggests that the upward transport of heat, which increases the enthalpy flux, becomes necessary to bring about RI. The primary circulation, secondary circulation, inflow, thermal structure, moisture distribution and mass flux within the TC environment during the 24‐hr RI period are analyzed to investigate the evolution of TC characteristics for both UCP and CP experiments. The analyses suggest that the UCP experiments show higher values of intensity as compared to CP experiments. Further, a more organized evolution of updrafts is present in the CP simulation, maybe due to the formation of a stable boundary layer. The study shows the significant influence of coupling on surface enthalpy controlling boundary layer characteristics and thus ultimately producing a more organized TC.
Single‐cell profiling of transcriptomic changes during in vitro maturation of human oocytes
Authors: Takeuchi Hiroki , Yamamoto Mari , Fukui Megumi , Inoue Akihiro , Maezawa Tadashi , Nishioka Mikiko , Kondo Eiji , Ikeda Tomoaki , Matsumoto Kazuya , Miyamoto Kei
Published: May 2022

Purpose

In vitro maturation (IVM) of human oocytes offers an invaluable opportunity for infertility treatment. However, in vitro matured oocytes often show lower developmental abilities than their in vivo counterparts, and molecular mechanisms underlying successful maturation remain unclear. In this study, we investigated gene expression profiles of in vitro matured oocytes at the single‐cell level to gain mechanistic insight into IVM of human oocytes.

Methods

Human oocytes were retrieved by follicular puncture and in vitro matured. In total, 19 oocytes from 11 patients were collected and subjected to single‐cell RNA‐seq analyses.

Results

Global gene expression profiles were similar among oocytes at the same maturation stage, while a small number of oocytes showed distinct transcriptomes from those at the corresponding maturation stage. Differential gene expression analysis identified hundreds of transcripts that dynamically altered their expression during IVM, and we revealed molecular pathways and upstream regulators that may govern oocyte maturation. Furthermore, oocytes that were delayed in their maturation showed distinct transcriptomes. Finally, we identified genes whose transcripts were enriched in each stage of oocyte maturation.

Conclusions

Our work uncovers transcriptomic changes during human oocyte IVM and the differential gene expression profile of each oocyte.
Iterative learning based consensus control for distributed parameter type multi‐agent differential inclusion systems
Authors: Zhou Min , Wang JinRong , Shen Dong
Published: May 2022

This article considers the learning consensus problem of distributed parameter type multi‐agent differential inclusion systems including parabolic type and hyperbolic type. By imposing a Lipschitz condition on a set‐valued mapping and utilizing distributed ‐type iterative learning consensus control protocols, an iterative learning process is established. Further, sufficient conditions for the convergence of the consensus error between any two agents in the sense of the certain norm are obtained with the help of Steiner‐type selectors. Finally, numerical simulations verify the validity of the proposed method.
Prediction of greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural fields with and without cover crops
Authors: Mehmandoost Kotlar Ali , Singh Jasdeep , Kumar Sandeep
Published: May 2022

The significant contribution of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to global climate change and stratospheric ozone depletion has been calling the attention to assess the effect of agricultural management on them. Although machine learning (ML) methods have been widely used for the quantification of various inherent and dynamic soil properties, the accuracy of these techniques in the prediction of agricultural soil GHG emissions remains unclear. Therefore, this study aims at evaluating the performance of six different ML methods including simple linear regression, Cubist, support vector machines (SVM) with three different kernel functions, and random forest (RF) for the prediction of CO2 and N2O fluxes from plots managed with and without cover cropping. The input parameters include typical meteorological data as well as soil temperature and soil water content. Results show that the daily flux of CO2 is positively correlated with soil temperature and solar radiation and negatively with soil water content, whereas daily N2O flux is positively correlated with soil water content. For plots without cover cropping, Cubist and SVM with polynomial kernel function outperformed in the prediction of the testing dataset with RMSE of 14.18 kg ha–1 d–1 and 11.52 g ha–1 d–1 for daily CO2 and N2O emissions, respectively. Where cover cropping was considered, SVM with radial basis function and Cubist were the best models in the prediction of daily CO2 and N2O fluxes with respective RMSE values of 15.71 kg ha–1 d–1 and 14.12 g ha–1 d–1. Considering the ranking of the models for all scenarios and both GHGs, SVM with nonlinear kernel functions and Cubist method surpassed other ML techniques.
Surveillance for endemic infectious disease outbreaks: Adaptive sampling using profile likelihood estimation
Authors: Fairley Michael , Rao Isabelle J. , Brandeau Margaret L. , Qian Gary L. , Gonsalves Gregg S.
Published: May 2022

Outbreaks of an endemic infectious disease can occur when the disease is introduced into a highly susceptible subpopulation or when the disease enters a network of connected individuals. For example, significant HIV outbreaks among people who inject drugs have occurred in at least half a dozen US states in recent years. This motivates the current study: how can limited testing resources be allocated across geographic regions to rapidly detect outbreaks of an endemic infectious disease? We develop an adaptive sampling algorithm that uses profile likelihood to estimate the distribution of the number of positive tests that would occur for each location in a future time period if that location were sampled. Sampling is performed in the location with the highest estimated probability of triggering an outbreak alarm in the next time period. The alarm function is determined by a semiparametric likelihood ratio test. We compare the profile likelihood sampling (PLS) method numerically to uniform random sampling (URS) and Thompson sampling (TS). TS was worse than URS when the outbreak occurred in a location with lower initial prevalence than other locations. PLS had lower time to outbreak detection than TS in some but not all scenarios, but was always better than URS even when the outbreak occurred in a location with a lower initial prevalence than other locations. PLS provides an effective and reliable method for rapidly detecting endemic disease outbreaks that is robust to this uncertainty.
Spontaneous Formation of Lead‐Free Cs3Cu2I5 Quantum Dots in Metal–Organic‐Frameworks with Deep‐Blue Emission
Authors: Zhang Yuqing , He Yong , Tang Zhenyu , Yu Wenjin , Zhang Zehao , Chen Zhijian , Xiao Lixin , Shi Jun‐jie , Wang Shufeng , Qu Bo
Published: May 2022

All‐inorganic lead‐free Cs3Cu2I5 perovskite‐derivant quantum dots (QDs) have attracted tremendous attention due to their nontoxicity and unique optoelectronic properties. However, the traditional hot‐injection method requires high temperatures and multiple ligands to confine the growth of QDs. Herein, a strategy is reported to spontaneously synthesize ultrasmall Cs3Cu2I5 QDs within metal–organic‐frameworks (MOFs) MOF‐74 at room temperature (RT) with an average diameter of 4.33 nm. The obtained Cs3Cu2I5 QDs exhibit an evident deep‐blue emission with Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage coordinates of (0.17, 0.07), owing to the strong quantum confinement effect. Due to the protection of MOF‐74, the Cs3Cu2I5 QDs demonstrate superior stability, and the photoluminescence quantum yield retains 89% of the initial value after the storage of 1440 h under the environment with relative humidity exceeding 70%. Besides, triplet–triplet annihilation upconversion emission is observed within the composite of Cs3Cu2I5@MOF‐74, which brings out apparent temperature‐dependent photoluminescence. This study reveals a facile method for fabricating ultrasmall lead‐free perovskite‐derivant QDs at RT without multiple ligands. Besides, the temperature‐dependent photoluminescence of Cs3Cu2I5@MOF‐74 may open up a new way to develop the applications of temperature sensors or other related optoelectronic devices.
In‐Plane Mott–Schottky Effects Enabling Efficient Hydrogen Evolution from Mo5N6‐MoS2 Heterojunction Nanosheets in Universal‐pH Electrolytes
Authors: Pi Chaoran , Li Xingxing , Zhang Xuming , Song Hao , Zheng Yang , Gao Biao , Kızılaslan Abdulkadir , Chu Paul K. , Huo Kaifu
Published: May 2022

Cost‐effective electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) spanning a wide pH range are highly desirable but still challenging for hydrogen production via electrochemical water splitting. Herein, Mo5N6‐MoS2 heterojunction nanosheets prepared on hollow carbon nanoribbons (Mo5N6‐MoS2/HCNRs) are designed as Mott–Schottky electrocatalysts for efficient pH‐universal HER. The in‐plane Mo5N6‐MoS2 Mott–Schottky heterointerface induces electron redistribution and a built‐in electric field, which effectively activates the inert MoS2 basal planes to intrinsically increase the electrocatalytic activity, improve electronic conductivity, and boost water dissociation activity. Moreover, the vertical Mo5N6‐MoS2 nanosheets provide more activated sites for the electrochemical reaction and facilitate mass/electrolyte transport, while the tightly coupled HCNRs substrate and metallic Mo5N6 provide fast electron transfer paths. Consequently, the Mo5N6‐MoS2/HCNRs electrocatalyst delivers excellent pH‐universal HER performances exemplified by ultralow overpotentials of 57, 59, and 53 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 in acidic, neutral, and alkaline electrolytes with Tafel slopes of 38.4, 43.5, and 37.9 mV dec−1, respectively, which are superior to those of the reported MoS2‐based catalysts and outperform Pt in overall water splitting. This work proposes a new strategy to construct an in‐plane heterointerface on the nanoscale and provides fresh insights into the HER electrocatalytic mechanism of MoS2‐based heterostructures.
Sort race
Authors: Zhang Hantao , Meng Baoluo , Liang Yiwen
Published: May 2022

Sorting is one of the oldest computing problems and is still very important in the age of big data. Numerous algorithms and implementation techniques have been proposed. In this study, we focus on comparison based, internal sorting algorithms. We created 12 types of data of various sizes for experiments and tested extensively various implementations in a single setting. Using some effective techniques, we found that quicksort is adaptive to nearly sorted inputs and is still the best overall sorting algorithm. We also identified techniques that are effective in timsort, which is one of the most popular and efficient sorting methods based on natural mergesort. In addition, we created a version of our own mergesort, which performs better than timsort on nearly sorted instances. Our implementations of quicksort and mergesort are different from other implementations reported in all textbooks or research articles, and are faster than any version of the C library qsort functions not only for randomly generated data, but also for various types of nearly sorted data. This work can aid the user to choose the best sorting algorithm for the hard sorting job at hand, and provides a platform for anyone to test their own sorting algorithm against the best in the field.
DNA Nanotechnology‐Based Supramolecular Assemblies for Targeted Biomedical Applications
Authors: Singh Ankur , Bhatia Dhiraj
Published: May 2022

DNA is a polyanionic, hydrophilic, and natural biopolymer that offers properties such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, non‐toxicity, and non‐immunogenicity. These properties of DNA as an ideal biopolymer offer modern‐day researchers’ reasons to exploit these to form high‐order supramolecular assemblies. These structures could range from simple to complex and provide various applications. Among them, supramolecular assemblies like DNA hydrogels (DNA‐HG) and DNA dendrimers (DNA‐DS) show massive growth potential in the areas of biomedical applications such as cell biology, medical stream, molecular biology, pharmacology, and healthcare product manufacturing. The application of both of these assemblies has seen enormous growth in recent years. In this focused review on DNA‐based supramolecular assemblies like hydrogels and dendrimers, we present the principles of synthesis and characterization, key developments with examples and applications, and conclude with a brief perspective on challenges and future outlook for such devices and their subsequent applications.
Synthesis, characterization, anticancer, and antioxidant activities of chitosan Schiff bases bearing quinolinone or pyranoquinolinone and their silver nanoparticles derivatives
Authors: Mostafa Mai A. , Ismail Mostafa M. , Morsy Jehan M. , Hassanin Hany M. , Abdelrazek Marwa M.
Published: May 2022

In this work, new chitosan-based Schiff bases were synthesized by the reaction of chitosan with quinolinone and pyranoquinolinone giving CSQ, and CSP, respectively. The novel Chitosan Schiff bases were grafted on silver nanoparticles providing CSQ/Ag, CSP/Ag structures. Characterization of isolated compounds was carried out by FT-IR, TGA, XRD, SEM, and TEM. The target compounds CSQ, CSP, CSQ/Ag, and CSP/Ag were evaluated as antitumor agents against three cancer cell lines, liver (HepG-2), colon (HCT-116), and breast (MCF-7). Compound CSQ/Ag disclosed potent cytotoxic effect with IC50 values in the range of 41.9–55.1 μg/ml in comparison with 5-fluorouracil against different cancer cell lines. Besides, the antioxidant activity of chitosan and its quinolinone and pyranoquinolinone analogues was assessed as radical scavengers versus 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radicals (DPPH%). The compound CSQ/Ag emerged as the most active member in scavenging the DPPH radicals. The obtained findings proved that the new Schiff bases/silver nanoparticles of chitosan showed higher antiproliferative and antioxidant activities than the blank CS and would be highly applicable in biomedical fields.

Graphical abstract
Daily supplementation of a multiple micronutrient powder improves folate but not thiamine, riboflavin, or vitamin B12 status among young Laotian children: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Hinnouho Guy-Marino , Hampel Daniela , Shahab-Ferdows Setareh , Barffour Maxwell A. , McAnena Liadhan , Arnold Charles D. , Ryan Wessells K. , Kounnavong Sengchanh , Allen Lindsay H. , McNulty Helene , Hess Sonja Y.
Published: May 2022

Purpose

To assess the effects of intervention with a daily multiple micronutrient powder (MNP) on thiamine, riboflavin, folate, and B12 status among young Laotian children.

Methods

Children (n = 1704) aged 6–23 mo, participating in a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial were individually randomized to receive daily either MNP (containing 0.5 mg of thiamine, 0.5 mg riboflavin, 150 μg folic acid, and 0.9 μg vitamin B12 along with 11 other micronutrients) or placebo and followed for ~ 36 weeks. In a randomly selected sub-sample of 260 children, erythrocyte thiamine diphosphate (eThDP), plasma folate and B12 concentrations, and erythrocyte glutathione reductase activation coefficient (EGRac; riboflavin biomarker) were assessed at baseline and endline.

Results

There was no treatment effect on endline eThDP concentrations (110.6 ± 8.9 nmol/L in MNP vs. 109.4 ± 8.9 nmol/L in placebo group; p = 0.924), EGRac (1.46 ± 0.3 vs. 1.49 ± 0.3; p = 0.184) and B12 concentrations (523.3 ± 24.6 pmol/L vs. 515.9 ± 24.8 pmol/L; p = 0.678). Likewise, the prevalence of thiamine, riboflavin, and B12 deficiencies did not differ significantly between the two groups. However, endline folate concentration was significantly higher in the MNP compared to the placebo group (28.2 ± 0.8 nmol/L vs 19.9 ± 0.8 nmol/L, respectively; p < 0.001), and correspondingly, the prevalence of folate deficiency was significantly lower in the MNP group (1.6% vs 17.4%; p = 0.015).

Conclusions

Compared to a placebo, daily MNP for 9 months increased only folate but not thiamine, riboflavin, or B12 status in young Laotian children.

Trial registration

The trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02428647) on April 29 2015.
Clinical benefit and cost-effectiveness analysis of liquid biopsy application in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): a modelling approach
Authors: Englmeier Fabienne , Bleckmann Annalen , Brückl Wolfgang , Griesinger Frank , Fleitz Annette , Nagels Klaus
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Targeted therapies are effective therapeutic approaches in advanced stages of NSCLC and require precise molecular profiling to identify oncogenic drivers. Differential diagnosis on a molecular level contributes to clinical decision making. Liquid biopsy (LB) use has demonstrated its potential to serve as an alternative to tissue biopsy (TB) particularly in cases where tissue sampling is not feasible or insufficient. We aimed at evaluating the cost-effectiveness of ctDNA-based LB use (molecular multigene testing) according to German care guidelines for metastatic NSCLC.

Methods

A Markov model was developed to compare the costs and clinical benefits associated with the use of LB as an add-on to TB according to the guidelines for NSCLC patients. Usual care TB served as comparator. A microsimulation model was used to simulate a cohort of non-squamous NSCLC patients stage IV. The parameters used for modelling were obtained from the literature and from the prospective German CRISP registry (“Clinical Research platform Into molecular testing, treatment, and outcome of non-Small cell lung carcinoma Patients”). For each pathway, average direct medical costs, and QALYs gained per patient were used for calculating incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER).

Results

The use of LB as an add-on was costlier (€144,981 vs. €144,587) but more effective measured in QALYs (1.20 vs. 1.19) for the care pathway of NSCLC patients (ICER €53,909/QALY). Cost-effectiveness was shown for EGFR-mutated patients (ICER €-13,247/QALY).

Conclusion

Including LB as an add-on into the care pathway of advanced NSCLC has positive clinical effects in terms of QALYs accompanied by a moderate cost-effectiveness.
Correction to: A damage phase-field model for fractional viscoelastic materials in finite strain
Authors: da Costa-Haveroth T. C. , Haveroth G. A. , Bittencourt M. L. , Boldrini J. L.
Published: May 2022

A Correction to this paper has been published: 10.1007/s00466-022-02145-2
The effect of plant–plant interactions as a key biotic process mediating the spatial variation of phenotypes in a Pinus sylvestris forest
Authors: Carvalho Bárbara , de la Cruz Marcelino , Escudero Adrián , Bastias Cristina C. , Valladares Fernando , Benavides Raquel
Published: May 2022

Key message

In this work, we highlighted the importance of the phenotypic structure of forest in regulating inter-tree competition with scattered individuals showing larger growth than close neighbours, with lower growth rates.

Plant interactions are among the fundamental processes shaping the structure and functioning of ecosystems as they modulate competitive dynamics. However, the connection between the response of individual growth to neighbours and to environmental conditions and the mechanisms determining interactions in monospecific stands remain poorly understood. Here, we followed a phenotypic-based approach to disentangle the effect of plant size, neighbourhood interactions and microhabitat effects on Pinus sylvestris growth and traits, as well as their spatial variation of growth. We mapped all adult trees (1002 pines) in a 2 ha stand and measured their height, DBH and crown projection. For each individual, we assessed its growth and a competition index in relation to the closest neighbours. Soil chemical and physical properties and ground cover were also measured in a grid within the stand. We analysed the effects of tree size, neighbour competition and microhabitat variation on tree growth with a linear model. We also used spatial mark-correlation functions to explore the spatial dependence of tree age, secondary growth and phenotypic traits. Our results showed that trees with close neighbours displayed lower growth rates, whilst individuals with larger growths appeared scattered throughout the stand. Moreover, we found that growth depended on competition, tree height and crown area while tree growth poorly correlated with age or microhabitat conditions. Our findings highlight the importance of forest structure, in regulating inter-tree competition and growth in a Mediterranean pure stand and they provide insight into the causes and consequences of intraspecific variation in this system.