bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of Disease Activity and Disability With Rehabilitation Utilization in African American Adults With Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Thoma Louise M. , Cleveland Rebecca J. , Jonas Beth L. , Bridges S. Louis , Callahan Leigh F.
Published: September 2021

Objective

To examine the association of disease activity and disability with rehabilitation utilization in African American adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

We analyzed cross‐sectional baseline data from the Consortium for the Longitudinal Evaluation of African Americans with RA (CLEAR) I and CLEAR II registry. Disease activity was quantified with the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints using the C‐reactive protein level. Disability was measured with the Health Assessment Questionnaire. Rehabilitation utilization was determined by self‐reported recall of physical therapy or occupational therapy visits in the prior 6 months or ever. We examined the association of disease activity and disability with rehabilitation utilization using separate binary logistic regression models to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals and adjusted for potential confounders. We repeated the analyses with the sample stratified by disease duration (early RA and established RA).

Results

Of 1,067 participants, 14% reported utilizing rehabilitation in the prior 6 months, and 41% reported ever utilizing rehabilitation. Rehabilitation utilization in the prior 6 months was similar among those with early and established RA (12% versus 16%). A greater proportion of those with established RA reported any past rehabilitation utilization (28% versus 50%). Among those with established RA but not early RA, worse disability was associated with rehabilitation utilization in the prior 6 months. Disease activity was not associated with either outcome.

Conclusion

Among African American adults with RA, rehabilitation utilization in the 6 months prior to assessment was low and associated with disability but not disease activity. Factors driving rehabilitation utilization are unclear.
Friction Characteristics of Molybdenum Disulfide Thin Films Synthesized via Plasma Sulfurization
Authors: Yoon Hae Won , Aydin Kubra , Park Hyun Jun , Kim Soobyn , Kwak Donggeon , Kim Taesung , Ahn Chisung
Published: September 2021

Herein, the tribological behavior of layered few nanometer‐thick MoS2 thin films is evaluated to identify their applicability to an oil‐free solid‐lubrication coating layer. The MoS2 thin films are synthesized using a plasma sulfurization process with optimized steps and conditions derived from a previous study. MoS2 thin films with different thicknesses are heat treated at 400 °C to investigate the effect on their tribological properties. The ball‐on‐disk method is used to observe the friction and wear behavior of the MoS2 thin films, and this test is carried out under an applied load of 0.5 N in an ambient atmosphere (≈23 °C). The coefficient of friction of the unheated MoS2 layers increases rapidly at 32–36 cycles regardless of the thickness. However, the heat‐treated MoS2 films maintain a lower coefficient of friction for more cycles (60–86 cycles). The heat treatment effect effectively increases the wear life of the MoS2 thin film. Based on this result, it is believed that the heat‐treated MoS2 thin films can be potential solid lubricant candidate for micro‐ and nanoelectromechanical systems.
Multicolored Nanocolloidal Hydrogel Inks
Authors: Morozova Sofia M. , Statsenko Tatiana G. , Ryabchenko Egor O. , Gevorkian Albert , Adibnia Vahid , Lozhkin Maksim S. , Kireynov Alexey V. , Kumacheva Eugenia
Published: September 2021

Nanocolloidal gels are emerging as a promising class of materials with applications as inks in 2D and 3D printing. Polymer nanoparticles (NPs) offer many advantages as potential building blocks of nanocolloidal gels, due to the ability to control NP dimensions, charge, surface chemistry, and functionality; however, their applications as inks in printing are yet to be explored. Here, functional nanocolloidal hydrogels formed by percolating oppositely charged latex NPs with different dimensions and charge densities are reported. The shear‐thinning and self‐healing properties of the nanocolloidal gels and the mechanical properties of the resulting printed films are examined. NP functionality is achieved by covalently labeling them with different fluorescent dyes that emit at two distinct wavelengths. Using these NPs, a facile route for 3D printing of multicolored fluorescence patterns is shown, with each color being visualized under a specific, well‐defined excitation wavelength.
Light‐Driven Micromotors to Dissociate Protein Aggregates That Cause Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Mayorga‐Burrezo Paula , Mayorga‐Martinez Carmen C. , Pumera Martin
Published: September 2021

Nowadays, microrobots are considered appealing mobile carriers for clinical therapies. In this sense, high expectations against unmet medical challenges have been created around microswimmers that combine autonomous navigation with enhanced abilities to perform specific tasks. Neurodegenerative disorders are incurable diseases that have a huge impact on the quality of life for millions of people. To date, protein disaggregation (i.e., dissociation of mature protein fibrils on the origin of the given illness) has been discussed as targeted therapy by means of nonautonomous nanoparticles. Here, self‐propelled light‐driven single‐component micromotors based on concave BiVO4 microspheres are used to disaggregate protein fibrils. Efficient disaggregation is proved to be promoted by the micromotors’ intrinsic on‐the‐fly generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Moreover, the helical trajectories observed for these single‐component micromotors are thought to be probably behind the uniform distribution of ROS, leading to enhanced protein dissociation. This conceptually promising application of light‐driven micromotors with efficient photocatalytic ROS production and distribution can be extended to alternative ROS‐based photodynamic therapies against lung or skin cancer, among others.
Simultaneous Deconvolution of In‐Plane and Out‐of‐Plane Forces of HOPG at the Atomic Scale under Ambient Conditions by Multifrequency Atomic Force Microscopy
Authors: Eichhorn Anna L. , Dietz Christian
Published: September 2021

Multifrequency atomic force microscopy (AFM) is shown to be an excellent tool for imaging crystal structures at atomic resolution in different spatial directions. However, determining the forces between single atoms remains challenging, particularly in air under ambient conditions. Developed here is a trimodal AFM approach that simultaneously acquires torsional and flexural frequency‐shift images and spectroscopic data to transfer these observables into in‐plane and out‐of‐plane forces between single bonds of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) at atomic resolution in air under ambient conditions based on the Fourier method. It is found that the cantilever mean deflection is an excellent indicator to understand that strong attractive interactions between the tip and the surface of HOPG in dynamic AFM imply a local lift of the topmost carbon layer when using higher eigenmodes for the topographical feedback. Cross‐talk between torsional and flexural‐oscillation modes is shown to be negligible. Interestingly, significant differences are observed in the in‐plane forces depending on the orientation of the carbon bonds relative to the direction of torsional oscillation.
Stability Improvement of 2D Perovskite by Fluorinated‐Insulator
Authors: Zhuang Yuan , Ma Pengfei , Shi Jingqi , Lin Hui , You Guanjun , Xu Gongjie , Cai Bin
Published: September 2021

In this study, the interface of 2D hybrid organic–inorganic perovskites L2PbI4 (here L stands for phenylethylamine, PEA) is engineered by fluorine substitution in its organic insulator layers, and the stability of the perovskite is investigated. For the water‐resistance, the fluorinated‐perovskite maintained 90% photoluminescence intensity of its initial state after 800‐h exposure to relative humidity 75–80%, while it is 47% for that without fluorine, resulting from hydrophobic property of fluorinated insulator. As for the resistance to light illumination, the stability of the fluorinated perovskite is effectively improved for exposure to both continuous‐wave laser and UV lamp, due to chemical and thermal inertness. Furthermore, the effectiveness by the fluorinated‐insulator in combination with polymer encapsulation is also verified. However, the substitution of fluorinated‐insulator (F‐PEA) results more overlap of absorption and photoluminescence, and produces more defects, both of which would lead to the reduction of the photoluminescence quantum yield. This interfacial modification still paves a new way to improve the stability of 2D perovskites by using fluorinated‐insulator and provides new insight to move forward their applications.
One Nanometer HfO2‐Based Ferroelectric Tunnel Junctions on Silicon
Authors: Cheema Suraj S. , Shanker Nirmaan , Hsu Cheng‐Hsiang , Datar Adhiraj , Bae Jongho , Kwon Daewoong , Salahuddin Sayeef
Published: September 2021

In ferroelectric materials, spontaneous symmetry breaking leads to a switchable electric polarization, which offers significant promise for nonvolatile memories. In particular, ferroelectric tunnel junctions (FTJs) have emerged as a new resistive switching memory which exploits polarization‐dependent tunnel current across a thin ferroelectric barrier. This work integrates FTJs with complementary metal‐oxide‐semiconductor‐compatible Zr‐doped HfO2(Zr:HfO2) ferroelectric barriers of just 1 nm thickness, grown by atomic layer deposition on silicon. These 1 nm Zr:HfO2tunnel junctions exhibit large polarization‐driven electroresistance (>20 000%), the largest value reported for HfO2‐based FTJs. In addition, due to just a 1 nm ferroelectric barrier, these junctions provide large tunneling current (>1 A cm−2) at low read voltage, orders of magnitude larger than reported thicker HfO2‐based FTJs. Therefore, this proof‐of‐principle demonstration provides an approach to simultaneously overcome three major drawbacks of prototypical FTJs: a Si‐compatible ultrathin ferroelectric, large electroresistance, and large read current for high‐speed operation.
Defining “county”: A mixed‐methods inquiry of county emergency medicine residency programs
Authors: Buchanan Jennie A. , Moreira Maria , Taira Taku , Byyny Richard , Jarou Zachary , Taylor Todd Andrew , Sungar W. Gannon , Angerhofer Christy , Dyer Sean , White Melissa , Amin Dhara , D. Lall Michelle , Caro David , E. Parsons Melissa , Smith Teresa Y.
Published: September 2021

Introduction

There is no clear unified definition of “county programs” in emergency medicine (EM). Key residency directories are varied in designation, despite it being one of the most important match factors for applicants. The Council of Residency Directors EM County Program Community of Practice consists of residency program leadership from a unified collective of programs that identify as “county.” This paper's framework was spurred from numerous group discussions to better understand unifying themes that define county programs.

Methodology

This institutional review board–exempt work provides qualitative descriptive results via a mixed‐methods inquiry utilizing survey data and quantitative data from programs that self‐designate as county.

Unique treatment, analysis and critique

Most respondents work, identify, and trained at a county program. The majority defined county programs by commitment to care for the underserved, funding from the city or state, low‐resourced, and urban setting. Major qualitative themes included mission, clinical environment, research, training, and applicant recommendations. Comparing the attributes of programs by self‐described type of training environment, county programs are typically larger, older, in central metro areas, and more likely to be 4 years in duration and have higher patient volumes when compared to community or university programs. When comparing hospital‐level attributes of primary training sites county programs are more likely to be owned and operated by local governments or governmental hospital districts and authorities and see more disproportionate‐share hospital patients.

Implications for education and training in EM

To be considered a county program we recommend some or most of the following attributes be present: a shared mission to medically underserved and vulnerable patients, an urban location with city or county funding, an ED with high patient volumes, supportive of resident autonomy, and research expertise focusing on underserved populations.
A critical race theory curriculum for emergency medicine learners
Authors: Díaz Tomás , Knight R. Starr
Published: September 2021

Objectives

We set out to develop and implement a critical race theory (CRT) curriculum to address an identified gap in emergency medicine education. Sessions explored concepts of CRT and issues of racism as they relate to the clinical and extraclinical environments.

Methods

We developed a series of five virtual workshop sessions in 2019 that were held over Zoom in June and July 2020 in the setting of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Eight learners completed the curriculum. Prior to each session, learners were provided presession materials including podcasts, recorded lectures, and readings. Thought‐provoking questions were also provided with presession materials to facilitate discussion during sessions. Materials were curated to provide foundational knowledge on CRT and U.S. history as well as local history of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Results

Participants found the curriculum useful, reported increased familiarity with CRT, and were more likely to have an analytic framework for topics of race and racism. Participants also reported that their perspective had been changed after completing the curriculum.

Conclusions

Our curriculum promoted effective engagement with topics of race and racism by learners. Opt‐in participation contributed to an engaged cohort and the small cohort size encouraged participation by all learners. Semistructured facilitation allowed participants to guide conversations to their own topics of interest while also addressing specific topics at hand. Independent guided presession work allowed participants to gather knowledge at their own pace prior to each session, which likely contributed to more active and in‐depth participation.
Teaching emergency medicine residents health equity through simulation immersion
Authors: Ward‐Gaines Jacqueline , Buchanan Jennie A. , Angerhofer Christy , McCormick Taylor , Broadfoot Kirsten J. , Basha Elshimaa , Blake Jocelyn , Jones Brena , Sungar W. Gannon
Published: September 2021

Objective

Our aim was to conduct a large, case‐based diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) simulation exercise with a goal to improve the DEI pillars of cultural and structural awareness for residents.

Methods

Utilizing data resulting in poor health outcomes, the top eight themes were utilized, and via a modified Delphi approach, a diverse group of faculty developed representative cases. A mass simulation effort was organized with the assistance of our local simulation office. Twenty residents in groups of two to three rotated through all scenarios. Each resident group was allotted 15 min for each scenario. After each case, resident teams received feedback from standardized patients and a debrief together with the simulation directors. Pre‐ and postsimulation surveys were developed and distributed to residents.

Results

Twenty residents completed the simulation. Eighteen completed a pre‐ and postsimulation survey. Every resident rated the overall usefulness of this activity as a 5.0 on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the highest score. All cases demonstrated an improvement in the residents perceived confidence on a 9‐point Likert scale. All residents reported improved understanding of key concepts in health care disparities as related to race/ethnicity, homelessness, LGBTQIA, and their own biases. The largest improvement was seen in the overarching theme of “difficult conversations” with a presimulation survey mean of 3.9 and postsimulation survey mean of 6.5 (delta = +2.6, 95% confidence interval = 1.9 to 3.3, p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Emergency medicine residency programs must fulfill their obligation to DEI efforts and national requirements while ensuring competency clinically. Mass simulation exercises are a way to incorporate this training. This preliminary data shows promise for a solution and can be easily duplicated. Diversity, health equity, inclusivity, and cultural humility can be effectively taught by an innovative mass simulation effort.
Using community‐based participatory research methods to inform care for patients experiencing homelessness: An opportunity for resident education on health care disparities
Authors: Ryus Caitlin R. , Yang David , Tsai Jennifer , Meldrum Jonathan , Ngaruiya Christine
Published: September 2021

People experiencing homelessness (PEH) suffer higher burdens of chronic illnesses, have higher rates of emergency medicine (ED) use and hospitalization, and ultimately are at increased risk for premature death compared to housed counterparts. Structural racism contributes to a disproportionate burden of homelessness among people of color. PEH experience not only significant medical concerns but also complex social needs that need to be addressed concurrently for effective healing, issues that have been magnified by the COVID‐19 pandemic. As health disparities and structural racism intersect among PEH, it is critically important to develop PEH‐centered interventions to improve care and health outcomes as part of an effort to dismantle racism. One opportunity to address these disparities in care for PEH is through training ED physicians on methods for identifying and intervening on the unique needs of vulnerable patient groups. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education has outlined health quality pathways in the clinical learning environment to address health disparities. Community‐based participatory research (CBPR) is particularly well suited for this scenario as it allows experiential learning for trainees to work with and understand a diverse group of stakeholders, to deepen their knowledge of local health disparities, and to lead research and measure outcomes of interventions to tackle health disparities. In this paper, we highlight the utility of CBPR in fostering experiential learning for EM residents on tackling health disparities and the importance of community collaboration in trainee‐led interventions for comprehensive ED care.
Evolution of shade tolerance is associated with attenuation of shade avoidance and reduced phenotypic plasticity in North American milkweeds
Authors: Coverdale Tyler C. , Agrawal Anurag A.
Published: September 2021

Premise

Mismatches between light conditions and light‐capture strategy can reduce plant performance and prevent colonization of novel habitats. Although light‐capture strategies tend to be highly conserved among closely related species, evolutionary transitions from shaded to unshaded habitats (and vice versa) occur in numerous plant lineages.

Methods

We combined phylogenetic approaches with field and greenhouse experiments to investigate evolutionary constraints on light‐capture strategy in North American milkweeds (genusAsclepias) and to determine whether colonization of shaded habitats in this heliophilic clade is associated with reduced plasticity and attenuation of the shade avoidance response.

Results

Colonization of shaded habitats has occurred at least 10 times in this genus, including at least once in each major North American clade. Evolutionary transitions between habitats exhibit strong directional bias, with shifts from full‐sun to shaded habitats occurring at least three times as often as the opposite transition. In field and greenhouse experiments, sun species responded to shade by increasing internode length, height, and specific leaf area, consistent with the shade avoidance response; paired shade species exhibited reduced plasticity overall, and only one trait (specific leaf area) responded to experimental shade.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that milkweeds colonized shaded environments multiple times using a light‐capture strategy distinct from the ancestral (putatively shade avoidant) strategy, including a general attenuation of plasticity in response to variable light conditions. This pattern bolsters the notion that shade avoidance and tolerance represent divergent evolutionary strategies for maximizing performance under qualitatively different types of shade.
An Efficient Access to 3,5‐Disubstituted Isoxazoles with Anthranilate Ester Moiety: Alkaloid Lappaconitine – Aryl Conjugates with an Isoxazole Linker
Authors: Cheremnykh Kirill P. , Savelyev Victor A. , Shults Elvira E.
Published: September 2021

Alkynones have gained great attention as useful building blocks in organic synthesis. They have been emerged as key intermediates in the synthesis of various heterocycles. In the present study, the alkynylketones derived from antranylic acids esters or alkaloid lappaconitine were employed as a platform for late‐stage derivatisation. The synthesis of regioisomeric 3,5‐diarylisoxazoles was achieved starting from ethyl N‐acetyl‐5‐iodoanthranilate. A range of 3,5‐disubstituted isoxazoles, containing the plant alkaloid lappaconitine moiety at the C‐3 position were convenience synthesized by a consecutive three‐component alkynylation‐cyclocondensation sequence starting from of 5′‐ethynyllappaconitine, aroyl chlorides, and hydroxylamine hydrochloride. Notably, several 5‐hydroxy‐4,5‐dihydroisoxazoles were obtained in good yields as main products in this three component reaction by using Et3N as the base and i‐PrOH as the solvent in cyclocondensation step.
Main Descriptors To Correlate Structures with the Performances of Electrocatalysts
Authors: Wang Bin , Zhang Fuxiang
Published: September 2021

Traditional trial and error approaches to search for hydrogen/oxygen redox catalysts with high activity and stability are typically tedious and inefficient. There is an urgent need to identify the most important parameters that determine the catalytic performance and so enable the development of design strategies for catalysts. In the past decades, several descriptors have been developed to unravel structure–performance relationships. This Minireview summarizes reactivity descriptors in electrocatalysis including adsorption energy descriptors involving reaction intermediates, electronic descriptors represented by a d‐band center, structural descriptors, and universal descriptors, and discusses their merits/limitations. Understanding the trends in electrocatalytic performance and predicting promising catalytic materials using reactivity descriptors should enable the rational construction of catalysts. Artificial intelligence and machine learning have also been adopted to discover new and advanced descriptors. Finally, linear scaling relationships are analyzed and several strategies proposed to circumvent the established scaling relationships and overcome the constraints imposed on the catalytic performance.
Dynamic Restructuring of Cu‐Doped SnS2 Nanoflowers for Highly Selective Electrochemical CO2 Reduction to Formate
Authors: Chen Mengxin , Wan Shipeng , Zhong Lixiang , Liu Daobin , Yang Hongbin , Li Chengcheng , Huang Zhiqi , Liu Chuntai , Chen Jian , Pan Hongge , Li Dong‐Sheng , Li Shuzhou , Yan Qingyu , Liu Bin
Published: September 2021

With ever‐increasing energy consumption and continuous rise in atmospheric CO2 concentration, electrochemical reduction of CO2 into chemicals/fuels is becoming a promising yet challenging solution. Sn‐based materials are identified as attractive electrocatalysts for the CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) to formate but suffer from insufficient selectivity and activity, especially at large cathodic current densities. Herein, we demonstrate that Cu‐doped SnS2 nanoflowers can undergo in situ dynamic restructuring to generate catalytically active S‐doped Cu/Sn alloy for highly selective electrochemical CO2RR to formate over a wide potential window. Theoretical thermodynamic analysis of reaction energetics indicates that the optimal electronic structure of the Sn active site can be regulated by both S‐doping and Cu‐alloying to favor formate formation, while the CO and H2 pathways will be suppressed. Our findings provide a rational strategy for electronic modulation of metal active site(s) for the design of active and selective electrocatalysts towards CO2RR.
Osteology and relationships of Revueltosaurus callenderi (Archosauria: Suchia) from the Upper Triassic (Norian) Chinle Formation of Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona, United States
Authors: Parker William G. , Nesbitt Sterling J. , Irmis Randall B. , Martz Jeffrey W. , Marsh Adam D. , Brown Matthew A. , Stocker Michelle R. , Werning Sarah
Published: September 2021

Once known solely from dental material and thought to represent an early ornithischian dinosaur, the early‐diverging pseudosuchian Revueltosaurus callenderi is described from a minimum of 12 skeletons from a monodominant bonebed in the upper part of the Chinle Formation of Arizona. This material includes nearly the entire skeleton and possesses a combination of plesiomorphic and derived character states that help clarify ingroup relationships within Pseudosuchia. A phylogenetic analysis recovers R. callenderi in a clade with Aetosauria and Acaenasuchus geoffreyi that is named Aetosauriformes. Key autapomorphies of R. callenderi include a skull that is longer than the femur, a complete carapace of dermal armor including paramedian and lateral rows, as well as ventral osteoderms, and a tail end sheathed in bone. Histology of the femur and associated osteoderms demonstrate that R. callenderi was slow growing and that the individuals from the bonebed were not young juveniles but had not ceased growing. A review of other material assigned to Revueltosaurus concludes that the genus cannot be adequately diagnosed based on the type materials of the three assigned species and that only R. callenderi can be confidently referred to Revueltosaurus.
Complementary combinative strategy of defect engineering and graphene coupling for efficient energy‐functional materials
Authors: Kim Minji , Park Yeon Hu , Kim Myung Hwa , Jin Xiaoyan , Hwang Seong‐Ju
Published: September 2021

The synergetic combination of defect engineering and graphene coupling enables to develop an effective way of exploring efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst/electrode materials. Defect‐engineered amorphous MoO2‐reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanohybrid was synthesized by soft‐chemical reduction of K2MoO4 in graphene oxide colloids. Mo K‐edge X‐ray absorption spectroscopy clearly demonstrates the rutile‐type local atomic structure of amorphous MoO2 with significant oxygen vacancies and intimate electronic coupling with rGO. The defect‐introduced MoO2‐rGO nanohybrid shows excellent bifunctionality as electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction and electrode for sodium‐ion batteries, which are superior to those of crystalline MoO2‐rGO homologue. The beneficial effect of simultaneous defect control and rGO coupling can be ascribed to the provision of oxygen vacancies acting as active sites, the increase of electrical conductivity, and the improvement of reaction kinetics.
Recombinant expression and coexpression of oyster defensin and proline‐rich peptide in Komagataella phaffii
Authors: Erdem Büyükkiraz Mine , Kesmen Zülal
Published: September 2021

Proline‐rich peptide (CgPrp) and defensin (CgDef), oyster (Crassostrea gigas)‐originated antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), were produced by the recombinant technique in Komagataella phaffii GS115 cells. For this purpose, the nucleotide sequences encoding the CgPrp and CgDef peptides were synthesized by the recursive PCR technique, and ligated in pPICZaA expression vector. Additionally, the expression cassettes of pPICZαA‐CgDef and pPICZαA‐CgPrp were combined using in vitro multimer ligation strategy to construct the coexpression vector pPICZaA‐CgPrp‐CgDef. The expression and coexpression vectors transformed into K. phaffii GS115 cells by electroporation. At the end of the 0.5% methanol‐induced expression stage for 96 h, the recombinant peptides were purified from the culture medium. The concentrations of purified peptides were changed between 1.05 and 1.21 mg/L. The recombinant peptides successfully inhibited the growth of tested Gram‐positive bacterial strains belonging to Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (MRSA), Listeria monocytogenes, and Bacillus cereus. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of recombinant CgPrp, CgDef, and CgPrp‐CgDef peptides against tested bacteria were in the range of 12.50–25.00, 18.75–75.00, and 5.80–11.60 pg/μl, respectively. The results of the study proved that the recombinant CgPrp, CgDef, and CgPrp‐CgDef peptides expressed in K. phaffii might have good potential for the inhibition of common Gram‐positive pathogenic bacteria, including drug‐resistant MRSA.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Ganshuang Granules Attenuate CCl4‐Induced Hepatic Fibrosis by Modulating Gut Microbiota
Authors: Zhao Jie , Miao Jing , Wei Xin , Guo Liying , Li Peng , Lei Jinyan , Wang Jing , Zhu Bo , Wang Li , Jia Jianwei
Published: September 2021

Gut dysbiosis contributes to hepatic fibrosis. Emerging evidence revealed the major role of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in gut microbiota homeostasis. Here, we aimed to investigate the anti‐fibrotic activity and underlying mechanism of ganshuang granules (GS), particularly regarding gut microbiota homeostasis. CCl4‐induced hepatic fibrosis models were allocated into 4 groups receiving normal saline (model), 1.0, 2.0, or 4.0 g/kg GS for 5 weeks. As result, GS treatment alleviated liver injury in CCl4‐induced hepatic fibrosis, presenting as decreases of the liver index, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate transaminase. Histological staining and expression revealed that the enhanced oxidative stress, inflammatory and hepatic fibrosis in CCl4‐induced models were attenuated by GS. Immunohistochemical staining showed that tight junction‐associated proteins in intestinal mucosa were up‐regulated by GS. 16S rRNA sequencing showed that GS rebalanced the gut dysbiosis manifested as improving alpha and beta diversity of gut microbiota, reducing the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes, and regulating the relative abundance of various bacteria. In summary, GS decreased the intestinal permeability and rebalanced the gut microbiota to reduce the oxidative stress and inflammation, eventually attenuating CCl4‐induced hepatic fibrosis.
Chemical Constituents of the Marine Fungus Penicillium sp. MCCC 3A00228
Authors: Wang Chao‐Feng , Huang Xiao‐Fang , Xiao Hong‐Xiu , Hao You‐Jia , Xu Lin , Yan Qing‐Xiang , Zou Zheng‐Biao , Xie Chun‐Lan , Xu Yan‐Qin , Yang Xian‐Wen
Published: September 2021

One new (d‐arabinitol‐anofinicate, 1) and fourteen known (2–15) compounds were isolated from the marine Penicillium sp. MCCC 3A00228. The structure of the new compound was established mainly by extensive spectroscopic analyses. Compound 1 exhibited weak transcriptional effect on Nur77. While compound 13 showed moderate in vitro anti‐proliferative effect against QGY7701, H1299, and HCT116 tumor cells with IC50 values of 21.2 μM, 18.2 μM, and 17.6 μM, respectively.
“A Study in Yellow”: Investigations in the Stereoselectivity of Ene‐Reductases
Authors: Parmeggiani Fabio , Brenna Elisabetta , Colombo Danilo , Gatti Francesco G. , Tentori Francesca , Tessaro Davide
Published: September 2021

Ene‐reductases from the Old Yellow Enzyme (OYE) superfamily are a well‐known and efficient biocatalytic alternative for the asymmetric reduction of C=C bonds. Considering the broad variety of substituents that can be tolerated, and the excellent stereoselectivities achieved, it is apparent why these enzymes are so appealing for preparative and industrial applications. Different classes of C=C bonds activated by at least one electron‐withdrawing group have been shown to be accepted by these versatile biocatalysts in the last decades, affording a vast range of chiral intermediates employed in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, flavours, fragrances and fine chemicals. In order to access both enantiomers of reduced products, stereodivergent pairs of OYEs are desirable, but their natural occurrence is limited. The detailed knowledge of the stereochemical course of the reaction can uncover alternative strategies to orient the selectivity via mutagenesis, evolution, and substrate engineering. An overview of the ongoing studies on OYE‐mediated bioreductions will be provided, with particular focus on stereochemical investigations by deuterium labelling.
Percutaneous closure of a post‐surgical ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm with an amplatzer septal occluder device and steerable guiding sheath
Authors: McClure Graham R. , Ratnayake Geemitha , Chan Albert , Gagnon Joel
Published: September 2021

Thoracic pseudoaneurysm in the ascending aorta is an uncommon condition associated with significant risk of morbidity and mortality. Treatment is recommended in all cases regardless of symptoms as the mortality rate if left untreated has been documented to be as high as 61%. The current standard of care for managing these lesions is open surgical repair. However, this is associated with significant morbidity. In‐hospital mortality reported for patients undergoing surgical repair of an ascending aortic pseudoaneurysm ranges from 6.7% to 41%. When anatomically suitable, a less invasive approach using amplatzer vascular plug or septal occluder is an attractive approach. We present a case report of repair of a post‐surgical ascending aortic false aneurysm using an amplatzer septal occluder with an Oscor ™ steerable guiding sheath; a novel approach to increase platform stability when engaging an aneurysm neck. Endovascular occluder deployment for closure of aortic false aneurysms remains a relatively novel technique. It is limited by the requirement to develop a stable endovascular platform to deliver the device and avoid system prolapse, particularly when accessing challenging lesions on the inner aortic curvature. We present the first case to utilize a steerable guiding sheath system to improve system stability and facilitate successful device delivery. Given the significant morbidity associated with open repair of these lesions we hope this will further expand the range of lesions viewed as appropriate for endovascular repair.
Comparative Study of Preprocessing on an ATR‐FTIR Calibration Model for In Situ Monitoring of Solution Concentration in Cooling Crystallization
Authors: Zhang Fangkun , Du Kang , Guo Luyu , Xu Qilei , Shan Baoming
Published: September 2021

The effect of data preprocessing on a calibration model based on attenuated total reflectance‐Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was investigated for in situ measurements of the solution concentration during cooling crystallization. L‐Glutamic acid cooling crystallization was taken as a case study. It was found that smoothing and derivative is a superior preprocessing method for model calibration, which can effectively remove spectral nonlinearity, improve the prediction accuracy of the calibration model, and enhance model robustness in detecting faults. Verification experiments demonstrated the effectiveness of the established calibration models. These models also show better performance in detecting the generation of crystal nuclei in the probe window, which is of great significance to eliminate the fatal probe fouling.
Copper‐Catalyzed Si—H Bond Insertion Polymerization for Synthesis of Optically Active Polyesters Containing Silicon
Authors: Zhai Xiao‐Yong , Wang Xiao‐Qing , Wu Bo , Zhou Yong‐Gui
Published: September 2021

Comprehensive Summary

The synthesis and characterization of chiral polymers with diverse structure remain a long‐term challenging research topic. Herein, a copper‐catalyzed enantioselective insertion of carbene into Si—H bond was applied to polycondensation, giving a new type of optically active degradable polyesters containing Si—C bond in the main chain. The polymerization features mild condition, broad substrate scope, excellent yields and enantioselectivities. Chiral diols could be obtained via reduction of optically active polyesters. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated these chiral polyesters exhibit good thermal stability.
Distribution and daily oscillation of GABA in the circadian system of the cockroach Rhyparobia maderae
Authors: Massah Azar , Neupert Susanne , Brodesser Susanne , Homberg Uwe , Stengl Monika
Published: September 2021

Gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the prevalent inhibitory neurotransmitter in nervous systems promoting sleep in both mammals and insects. In the Madeira cockroach, sleep‐wake cycles are controlled by a circadian clock network in the brain's optic lobes, centered in the accessory medulla (AME) with its innervating pigment‐dispersing factor (PDF) expressing clock neurons at the anterior‐ventral rim of the medulla. GABA is present in cell clusters that innervate different circuits of the cockroach's AME clock, without colocalizing in PDF clock neurons. Physiological, immunohistochemical, and behavioral assays provided evidence for a role of GABA in light entrainment, possibly via the distal tract that connects the AME's glomeruli to the medulla. Furthermore, GABA was implemented in clock outputs to multiple effector systems in optic lobe and midbrain. Here, GABAergic brain circuits were analyzed further, focusing on the circadian system in search for sleep/wake controlling brain circuits. All GABA‐immunoreactive neurons of the cockroach brain were also stained with an antiserum against the GABA‐synthesizing enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase. We found strong overlap of the distribution of GABA‐immunoreactive networks with PDF clock networks in optic lobes and midbrain. Neurons in five of the six soma groups that innervate the clock exhibited GABA immunoreactivity. The intensity of GABA immunoreactivity in the distal tract showed daily fluctuations with maximum staining intensity in the middle of the day and weakest staining at the end of the day. Quantification via enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and quantitative liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry, likewise, showed higher GABA levels in the optic lobe during the inactivity phase of the cockroach during the day and lower levels during its activity phase at dusk. Our data further support the hypothesis that light‐ and PDF‐dependently the circadian clock network of the cockroach controls GABA levels and thereby promotes sleep during the day.
Pretecto‐ and ponto‐cerebellar pathways to the pigeon oculomotor cerebellum follow a zonal organization
Authors: Gutiérrez‐Ibáñez Cristian , Pilon Madison C. , Wylie Douglas R.
Published: September 2021

Both birds and mammals have relatively large forebrains and cerebella. In mammals, there are extensive sensory–motor projections to the cerebellum through the pontine nuclei originating from several parts of the cerebral cortex. Similar forebrain‐to‐cerebellum pathways exist in birds, but the organization of this circuitry has not been studied extensively. Birds have two nuclei at the base of the brainstem that are thought to be homologous to the pontine nuclei of mammals, the medial and lateral pontine nuclei (PM, PL). Additionally, birds are unique in that they have a pretectal nucleus called the medial spiriform nucleus (SpM) that, like the pontine nuclei, also receives projections from the forebrain and projects to the oculomotor cerebellum (OCb; folia VI to VIII). The OCb also receives input from the pretectal nucleus lentiformis mesencephali (LM), which analyzes visual optic flow information resulting from self‐movement. In this study, we used single or double injections of fluorescent tracers to study the organization of these inputs from PM, PL, SpM and LM to the OCb in pigeons. We found that these inputs follow a zonal organization. The most medial zone in the OCb, zone A1, receives bilateral inputs from the lateral SpM, PL and LM. Zones A2 and C receive a bilateral projection from the medial SpM, and a mostly contralateral projection from PM and LM. We discuss how the pathway to zone A1 processes mainly visuo‐motor information to spinal premotor areas, whereas the pathways to zone A2/C processes somato‐motor and visuo‐motor information and may have a feedback/modulatory role.
Maladaptive schemas of patients with functional neurological symptom disorder
Authors: Stroink Luuk , Mens Ellen , Ooms Martijn H. P. , Visser Sako
Published: September 2021

Background

The psychological underpinnings of functional neurological symptom disorders (FNSD) remain poorly understood. A disintegration of explicit and implicit information processing in patients with FNSD has previously been suggested; however, this suggestion has so far received little empirical support. Trauma and maladaptive schemas probably reinforce disintegration in FNSD. The present study explored the occurrence of maladaptive schemas and investigated the impact of trauma‐related maladaptive schemas in patients with FNSD.

Methods

Forty‐eight FNSD patients were assessed at the start of treatment using the Young Schema Questionnaire (YSQ‐2) to explore maladaptive schemas. The Life Event Checklist (LEC‐5) and the PTSD Checklist for DSM‐5 (PCL‐5) were used to explore trauma states, and the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP‐68) was used to measure health dysfunction.

Results

The self‐sacrifice schema scored within a clinically relevant range where no increased scores were found in other maladaptive schemas. Linear regression models showed a positive association between mistrust/abuse and severity of health dysfunction.

Discussion

Results suggest that maladaptive schemas play a modest role in FNSD at the start of treatment. It is suggested to examine the occurrence of maladaptive schemas in FNS‐disordered patients with a longitudinal design.
Predicting and preventing dropout in research, assessment and treatment with refugees
Authors: Semmlinger Verena , Ehring Thomas
Published: September 2021

Refugees and asylum seekers are exposed to multiple burdensome experiences and suffer from ongoing post‐migration stressors that are known to affect the physical and mental health. In psychological treatment offered to refugees and asylum seekers, dropout is an important challenge. The current practice‐oriented review aims to provide for the first time knowledge on the prevalence, prediction and prevention of dropout in psychological treatment for refugees and asylum seekers. Due to the limited empirical evidence for this specific population, we synthesized refugee‐specific research but also reviewed the existing evidence on dropout from treatment in general and specifically discuss how the findings can be adapted to refugee populations. The review integrates literature from online databases, grey literature, hand search and expert contacts. Prevalence rates of dropout from psychological treatment in Western samples are reported at about 20%. For refugees and asylum seekers, evidence from single efficacy trials showed considerable variability in dropout rates (0%–64.7%). Further, for refugees and asylum seekers, specific sociodemographic variables, high initial impairment, deviating expectations and perceptions of mental health and psychological treatment, as well as external barriers seem to be important predictors for dropout. To prevent dropout, it is important to develop and promote cultural competencies, adapt the treatment to refugee‐specific needs and focus on role induction, preparation for treatment, fostering the therapeutic alliance and strengthening hope. Future specific research on dropout in treatment offered to refugees and asylum seekers is needed.
A Study on the Crystal Transformation Relationships of Valacyclovir Hydrochloride Polymorphs: Sesquihydrate, Form I, and Form II
Authors: Wu Yan‐Fang , Zhang Hao , Wang Nai‐Xing , Chen Tian , Liu Yan
Published: September 2021

Valacyclovir hydrochloride is a kind of antiviral drug and has several crystal forms including sesquihydrate (SH), anhydrous Form I, and Form II. Here, the dehydration process of SH by heat drying is investigated by powder X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry analysis, vapor sorption analysis, and ReactRaman spectroscopy, and the dehydration and absorption of crystal water are revealed. The transformations of SH to Form I, Form II to Form I, and SH to Form II in aqueous ethanol suspension are monitored by ReactRaman spectroscopy, and the mechanisms of two different transition processes are defined through the analysis of ReactRaman spectra. The crystal transformation relationship of the mentioned forms is established.
Prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in human immunodeficiency virus‐infected children attending the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Clinic in Cape Town
Authors: Mulder Riaan , Mohamed Nadia , Mathiba Olorato
Published: September 2021

Objective

Investigation of the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐infected children undergoing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

Materials and Methods

Cross‐sectional study of 66 HIV seropositive children, comprised of 28 (42.4%) females and 38 (57.6%) males (average age of 6 years). Study participants all required data regarding CD4+ T‐helper cell counts and the viral load. All participants underwent an orofacial clinical examination by calibrated clinicians. Associations between the presence of oral mucosal lesions, CD4+ cell counts, and viral load were analyzed using Poisson regression.

Results

The prevalence of oral manifestations was detected in 21 children (31.8%). Oral lesions were detected in 16 children with viral load copies <50 cells/mm3 and 22 children with CD4+ counts >500 cells/mm3. Predominant lesions identified included angular cheilitis (36.7%), candidiasis (13.3%) and atypical oral ulcers (13.3%). The presence of one lesion was the most prevalent represented by 19 children. Oral lesions in relation to the CD4+ counts >500 resulted in; 14 children with one oral lesion, 5 with two lesions and 3 with three oral mucosal lesions. The other half of this CD4+ count patient group presented with no oral mucosal lesions. Oral lesions in relation Viral load copies <50 resulted in; 9 children with one oral lesion, 3 with two oral mucosal lesions and 4 with three oral mucosal lesions. The other half of this Viral load patient group presented with no oral mucosal lesions. No significant correlations were established between the presence of oral mucosal lesions and low CD4+ counts (p = 0.715) nor with high viral load counts (p = 0.638).

Conclusion

HIV‐related oral mucosal lesions still presented in the participants despite management with HAART. Based on the results, CD4+ counts and viral load does not appear to be suitable markers of orofacial involvement in children.
A generalized model of coupled oscillator phase‐noise response
Authors: Djurhuus Torsten , Krozer Viktor
Published: September 2021

Model frameworks, based on Floquet theory, have been shown to produce effective tools for accurately predicting phase‐noise response of single (free‐running) oscillator systems. This method of approach, referred to herein as macro‐modeling, has been discussed in several highly influential papers and now constitutes an established branch of modern circuit theory. The increased application of, for example, injection‐locked oscillators and oscillator arrays in modern communication systems has subsequently exposed the demand for similar rigorous analysis tools aimed at coupled oscillating systems. This paper presents a novel solution in terms of a macro‐model characterizing the phase‐response of synchronized coupled oscillator circuits and systems perturbed by weak noise sources. The framework is generalized and hence applicable to all circuit configurations and coupling topologies generating a synchronized steady‐state. It advances and replaces the phenomenological descriptions currently found in the published literature pertaining to this topic and, as such, represents a significant breakthroughw.r.t. coupled oscillator noise modeling. The proposed model is readily implemented numerically using standard routines.