bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cationic Polymerization via Activation of Alkoxyamines Using Photoredox Catalysts
Authors: Konya Masato , Uchiyama Mineto , Satoh Kotaro , Kamigaito Masami
Published: July 2019

Cationic polymerization via mesolytic cleavage of alkoxyamines was investigated using photoredox catalysts under irradiation with visible light of various wavelengths. The carbon–oxygen bond of the alkoxyamine derived from p‐methoxystyrene (pMOS) and (2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidin‐1‐yl)oxyl (TEMPO) was cleaved by an excited cationic iridium catalyst under blue LED irradiation to generate the pMOS cation, which efficiently initiated the cationic polymerization of vinyl ethers and styrene derivatives to give the polymers with a pMOS unit at the initiating end. Temporal control of the polymerization was achieved by switching the light on and off. Poly(pMOS) with a terminal TEMPO unit obtained by nitroxide‐mediated radical polymerization was subsequently employed as a macroinitiator for the photoredox‐catalyzed cationic polymerization to afford block copolymers via a mechanistic transformation from radical to cationic polymerization using alkoxyamine as the mutual initiating site.
Institutional drivers for corporate philanthropic activities in China: Mediating roles of top management participation
Authors: Ouyang Zhe , Cheng Peng , Liu Yang , Yang Ruiju
Published: July 2019

On the basis of institutional theory and upper echelon perspective, this study develops and tests an integrative model that links institutional pressures to corporate philanthropy through the top management. Specifically, the mediating influences of top management participation and the moderating roles of resource availability and regulatory control in these relationships are investigated. Results of a survey of 207 Chinese firms suggest that coercive, mimetic, and normative pressures are significantly related to top management participation. Top management participation has a significant mediating effect on the relationship among coercive, normative, and corporate philanthropic activities. Furthermore, results indicate that resource availability positively moderates the relationships between institutional pressures and corporate philanthropic activities, whereas regulatory control negatively moderates these relationships. The theoretical and managerial implications of this study are discussed.
Efficient Electrocatalytic CO2Reduction Driven by Ionic Liquid Buffer‐Like Solutions
Authors: Gonçalves Wellington D. G. , Zanatta Marcileia , Simon Nathalia M. , Rutzen Luciane M. , Walsh Darren A. , Dupont Jairton
Published: July 2019

Electrocatalysis of CO2reduction in aqueous electrolytes containing the ionic liquid (IL) 1‐n‐butyl‐2,3‐dimethylimidazolium acetate ([BMMIm][OAc]) and DMSO proceeded at low overpotentials (−0.9 V vs. Ag/AgCl) at commercially‐available Au electrodes, with high selectivity for CO production (58 % faradaic efficiency at −1.6 V vs. Ag/AgCl). 0.43 mol CO2per mol IL could be absorbed into the electrolyte at atmospheric pressure, forming bicarbonate and providing a constant supply of dissolved CO2to the surface of the electrode. Electrocatalysis of CO2reduction in the electrolyte was facilitated by stabilization of CO2radical anions by the imidazolium cations of the IL and buffer‐like effects with bicarbonate.
Superior Selectivity and Tolerance towards Metal‐Ion Impurities of a Fe/N/C Catalyst for CO2 Reduction
Authors: Yang Hui‐Juan , Zhang Xue , Hong Yu‐Hao , Sari Hirbod Maleki Kheimeh , Zhou Zhi‐You , Sun Shi‐Gang , Li Xi‐Fei
Published: July 2019

The electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) in aqueous solution inevitably competes with the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), which results in a difficult separation of the complex products. In this study, a Fe/N/C catalyst derived from Fe(SCN)3 (labelled SMFeSCN) revealed a high CO Faradaic efficiency (FE) of 99 % at a moderate overpotential of 0.44 V. CO2RR and HER competed with each other for active sites on Fe/N/C. The high FE for CO production originated from the high content of micropores on the catalyst, which could suppress the side reactions by increasing CO2 uptake. More importantly, excellent tolerance towards metal‐ion impurities was demonstrated in Fe/N/C, which was primarily owing to the high specific surface area with scattered active sites. Thus, the Fe/N/C catalyst showed good activity for CO2RR without influencing the electrolyte purity, thus raising the possibility of its practical application.
Holey Assembly of Two‐Dimensional Iron‐Doped Nickel‐Cobalt Layered Double Hydroxide Nanosheets for Energy Conversion Application
Authors: Septiani Ni Luh Wulan , Kaneti Yusuf Valentino , Guo Yanna , Yuliarto Brian , Jiang Xuchuan , Ide Yusuke , Nugraha Nugraha , Dipojono Hermawan Kresno , Yu Aibing , Sugahara Yoshiyuki , Golberg Dmitri , Yamauchi Yusuke
Published: July 2019

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) containing first‐row transition metals such as Fe, Co, and Ni have attracted significant interest for electrocatalysis owing to their abundance and excellent performance for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline media. Herein, the assembly of holey iron‐doped nickel‐cobalt layered double hydroxide (NiCo‐LDH) nanosheets (‘holey nanosheets’) is demonstrated by employing uniform Ni–Co glycerate spheres as self‐templates. Iron doping was found to increase the rate of hydrolysis of Ni–Co glycerate spheres and induce the formation of a holey interconnected sheet‐like structure with small pores (1–10 nm) and a high specific surface area (279 m2 g−1). The optimum Fe‐doped NiCo‐LDH OER catalyst showed a low overpotential of 285 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 and a low Tafel slope of 62 mV dec−1. The enhanced OER activity was attributed to (i) the high specific surface area of the holey nanosheets, which increases the number of active sites, and (ii) the improved kinetics and enhanced ion transport arising from the iron doping and synergistic effects.
Retinal microvascular dysfunction in patients with coronary artery disease with and without heart failure: a continuum?
Authors: Barthelmes Jens , Nägele Matthias P. , Cantatore Silviya , Novruzov Etibar , Ludovici Valeria , von Eckardstein Arnold , Frank Michelle , Ruschitzka Frank , Sudano Isabella , Flammer Andreas J.
Published: July 2019

Aims

Dynamic retinal vessel analysis is a novel, non‐invasive method to assess microvascular function. The primary aim of this study was to investigate whether retinal microcirculation is impaired in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) compared to patients with heart failure due to CAD (ischaemic heart failure, IHF).

Methods and results

A total of 150 adults were enrolled to prospectively assess micro‐ and macrovasculature. The pre‐defined primary outcome was flicker‐induced arterial dilatation (FIDa) in patients with CAD [n = 40; median age 63 years, interquartile range (IQR) 53–70] and IHF (n = 40; median age 63 years, IQR 59–71) compared to healthy controls (HC, n = 70; median age 57 years, IQR 41–69). Secondary outcomes included arterial stiffness, flow‐mediated dilatation, biomarkers, and ergospirometry parameters. Patients with CAD demonstrated impairment in FIDa that was even more pronounced in patients with IHF (CAD: 1.93 ± 0.28% vs. IHF: 0.41 ± 0.28%, P < 0.001; FIDa in HC: 3.69 ± 0.21%, both P < 0.001) adjusting for age, sex, concomitant medication, and co‐morbidities. While pulse wave velocity was increased and flow‐mediated dilatation reduced in CAD and IHF patients (both P < 0.001 compared to HC), neither differed between CAD and IHF patients. N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (r = −0.49, P < 0.001,) and high‐sensitivity troponin T (r = −0.28, P = 0.003) correlated with FIDa. Intriguingly, mean metabolic equivalents (5.3 ± 2.3 kcal/kg/h, n = 39) showed a positive correlation with FIDa (r = 0.58, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

This study demonstrates a decline of retinal arterial function in CAD patients that is significantly more pronounced in the presence of reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, suggesting a continuum of microvascular damage.
Reasons for longer LOS at the emergency departments: Practical, patient‐centred, medical, or cultural?
Authors: Khorram‐Manesh Amir , Wennman Ingela , Andersson Björn , Dahlén Holmqvist Lina , Carlson Tobias , Carlström Eric
Published: July 2019

Emergency department (ED) overcrowding is caused by external and/or internal factors. One critical internal factor, leading to longer length of stay (LOS) at ED (eg, frequent ED users), is the physician's uncertainty in management of patients with unclear diagnosis and or complex medical history. The aim of this study was to identify whether the causes of physicians' uncertainty was practical, patient‐centred, medical, or cultural.

Using earlier published dimensions of uncertainty, 18 physicians were asked to reply to a template by choosing a relevant dimension that causes a delay in assessment of a known complex patient. This stage was completed by interviews through which participants had an opportunity to express their concerns and critical thoughts, if any. The data obtained from the template were collected and analysed. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. The results of the template indicated medical dimension as the main factor in delayed assessment of a complex patient. However, this finding was challenged by the results of the interviews, which indicated higher impact of personal/routines/cultural dimension (eg, being afraid of criticism, reprimand, and gossip or feelings of guilt).

Although medical, patient‐centred, and practical issues are important causes of longer LOS at ED, physicians' working and professional environment may have a higher impact than previously perceived. The uncertainty caused by interpersonal, organisational, and cultural issues within a clinic/hospital seems to influence the physician's ability to make decisions and thus a patient's medical outcome.
Case of atypical femoral fractures that mimicked the typical imaging findings of prostate cancer‐induced bone metastasis
Authors: Nezu Kunihisa , Endo Yuji , Katayama Hiromichi , Nozawa Yoshihiro , Kyan Atsushi
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Atypical femoral fractures are atraumatic or minimally traumatic fractures and rare side effects of bone resorption inhibitors. Bone resorption inhibitors are frequently used in the treatment of prostate cancer.

Case presentation

A 62‐year‐old man complained of difficulty in walking and left lower limb pain. Androgen deprivation and denosumab therapy for prostate cancer‐induced bone metastasis was initiated 27 months ago. Even though the prostate‐specific antigen level did not increase, imaging studies indicated the possibility of bone metastasis. The patient underwent bone biopsy; however, no malignancy was detected. Afterward, he had a fall, causing a complete fracture in his left femur.

Conclusion

Atypical femoral fractures occasionally mimic typical imaging findings and outcomes of bone metastasis. This case is important for recognizing such cases.
Recent advances and prospects toward blue perovskite materials and light‐emitting diodes
Authors: Fang Tao , Zhang Fengjuan , Yuan Shichen , Zeng Haibo , Song Jizhong
Published: July 2019

Perovskite based light‐emitting diodes (PeLEDs) have become a powerful candidate for next‐generation solid‐state lightings and high‐definition displays due to their high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY), tunable emission wavelength over the visible spectrum, and narrow emission linewidths. Over the past few years, the development of red‐ and green‐emissive PeLEDs has rapidly increased, and the corresponding external quantum efficiencies (EQE) have exceeded 20%. However, the research progress of blue‐emitting PeLEDs is limited by its poor material quality and inappropriate device structure. Currently, the maximum EQE of blue PeLED is only 6.2%, which is far from the industrialization requirements. In order to promote the development of blue PeLEDs, we summarize the recent research progress of blue perovskite materials and LEDs and discuss several fatal challenges, mainly embodied in low efficiency and poor stability. In order to overcome these challenges, detailed analysis and strategies are put forward in terms of the materials and devices. For the former, we summarize the feasible strategy for the preparation of efficient and stable blue‐emissive perovskites using component engineering. For the latter, we analyze the advantages and limitations of the different strategies for blue‐emissive perovskite in LEDs. At the end of the review, a comprehensive outlook is detailed, including future development directions and several technical problems to be solved. Thus, we aim to highlight the significance and promote the industrialization of PeLEDs.
Determination of pKa values for (E)‐2‐hydroxy‐5‐(aryldiazenyl) benzaldehydes in dimethyl sulfoxide: Cyclic voltammetry and density functional theory calculations
Authors: Zonouzi Forouzan , Shayesteh Alireza , Alizadeh Taher , Dezhampanah Hamid , Ghalami‐Choobar Bahram , Zonouzi Afsaneh
Published: July 2019

The (E)‐2‐hydroxy‐5‐(aryldiazenyl) benzaldehydes (azo dyes 1–4) were synthesized in high purity. As they are insoluble in water, the usual analytical methods cannot be utilized to determine their pKa values. Cyclic voltammetry was experimentally used to determine their pKa values in DMSO solvent. In addition, computational methods and a conductor‐like screening model (COSMO) were used to calculate the solvent effect. , , Kexchange, and pKa values were estimated for the azo dyes being studied using the BP86, TPSS, B3LYP, PBE0, TPSSh, and PW6B95 density functionals in def2‐TZVP basis sets. The obtained mean absolute deviations (MADs) indicate that the results of BP86, PBE0, and PW6B95 functionals are in good agreement with experimental values.
Investigation of role of urea in morphologically controlled synthesis of calcium‐bismuth bimetallic nanoparticles from chicken egg shells and its catalytic and fuel additive applications
Authors: Khan Shanza Rauf , Jamil Saba , Zahid Muhammad , Shahid Muhammad
Published: July 2019

A comparative study on the role of urea in controlling the morphology of calcium‐bismuth (Ca5Bi3) bimetallic nanoparticles is carried out. Calcium‐bismuth bimetallic nanoparticles are synthesized in the presence and absence of urea using the solvothermal method. The morphology of the synthesized products is analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The composition of the product is analyzed by energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopic and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. Reitveld refinements are performed on the XRD data, and lattice parameters are optimized. Reitveld‐refined parameters are used to construct the structural model of the calcium‐bismuth product. The formation mechanism of needle like particles from an orthorhombic unit cell is also proposed. The degradation of Congo red dye is catalyzed by synthesized Ca5Bi3 bimetallic nanoneedles in an aqueous medium. The effect of catalyst dose on the apparent rate constant (kapp) of degradation is studied and compared with literature. Ca5Bi3 bimetallic nanoneedles are also used as an additive in commercial diesel obtained from Pakistan State Oil, Limited. The effect of an additive dose on the calorific value of diesel is studied. How the Ca5Bi3 additive influenced other fuel quality parameters such as flash point, fire point, pour point, cloud point, kinematic viscosity, and specific gravity is also studied.
A time‐dependent density functional theory study on the excited state behavior of a novel T2(OH)B molecule
Authors: Jia Min , Song Xiaoyan , Yang Xiaohui , Yang Dapeng
Published: July 2019

A novel pH‐sensitive fluorescent probe T2(OH)B was selected to theoretically investigate its excited state hydrogen bonding effects and excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process. First, it was verified that one intramolecular hydrogen bond is formed spontaneously in T2(OH)B itself. Given the geometrical changes, we further confirm that the hydrogen bond should be strengthened in the first excited state. When it comes to the photoexcitation process, we present the charge redistribution around hydrogen bonding moieties facilitate the ESIPT tendency. The increased electronic densities around acceptor promote the attraction of hydrogen protons. The potential energy barrier in the constructed potential energy curves reveals that the ESIPT process of the T2(OH)B system should be ultrafast. And comparing several nonpolar solvents, we deem solvent polarity plays little role in the ESIPT reaction. Furthermore, we also search the S1‐state transition state structure along with the ESIPT path, based on which we simulate the intrinsic reaction coordinate path. We not only confirm the ESIPT mechanism presented in this work but also clarify the ultrafast excited state process and explain previous experiment. We sincerely hope that our theoretical work could guide novel applications based on the T2(OH)B system in future.
Immunoregulatory role of melatonin in cancer
Authors: Moradkhani Fatemeh , Moloudizargari Milad , Fallah Marjan , Asghari Narjes , Heidari Khoei Heidar , Asghari Mohammad Hossein
Published: July 2019

Melatonin is a ubiquitous indole amine that plays a fundamental role in the regulation of the biological rhythm. Disrupted circadian rhythm alters the expression of clock genes and deregulates oncogenes, which finally promote tumor development and progression. An evidence supporting this notion is the higher risk of developing malignancies among night shift workers. Circadian secretion of the pineal hormone also synchronizes the immune system via a reciprocal association that exists between the immune system and melatonin. Immune cells are capable of melatonin biosynthesis in addition to the expression of its receptors. Melatonin induces big changes in different immune cell proportions, enhances their viability and improves immune cell metabolism in the tumor microenvironment. These effects might be directly mediated by melatonin receptors or indirectly through alterations in hormonal and cytokine release. Moreover, melatonin induces apoptosis in tumor cells via the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of apoptosis, while it protectsthe immune cells. In general, melatonin has a profound impact on immune cell trafficking, cytokine production and apoptosis induction in malignant cells. On such a basis, using melatonin and resynchronization of sleep cycle may have potential implications in immune function enhancement against malignancies, which will be the focus of the present paper.
Soluble guanylate cyclase isoenzymes: The expression of α1, α2, β1, and β2 subunits in the benign and malignant breast tumors
Authors: Mohammadoo‐Khorasani Milad , Karami Tehrani Fatemeh , Atri Morteza
Published: July 2019

Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) encompasses α and β subunits. This study examined the expression of α1, α2, β1, and β2 subunits in the malignant and benign breast tumors using the Western blot  analysis. Both benign and malignant tumors showed a significantly higher expression of the α1 subunit in comparison with normal tissues (p < 0.0001). In contrast, the expression of α2 and β2 sGC were significantly lower in these tumors than normal tissues (p < .0015 and p < .001, p < .007 and p < .0001, respectively). The expression level of α1 sGC was significantly correlated with ER + PR+ (p < .0001). A significant correlation was also detected for sGC‐α1 and ‐α2 expression with c‐erbB2‐negative status (p < .01). However, the expression level of sGC was not associated with tumor stage, tumor grade, or other clinicopathological features. In conclusion, as the expression of α1 sGC is upregulated and α2 and β2 sGC are downregulated in malignant breast tumors. Variations in the expression of sGC isoenzymes may be suggested as an indicator to confirm the enzyme antitumor activity.
Transient severe conduction disturbances associated with ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: Ikeoka Kuniyasu , Nishikawa Nagahiro , Sakakibara Masayuki , Kawamoto Keisuke , Hoshida Shiro
Published: July 2019

A 46‐year‐old man presented with advanced and complete atrioventricular block. He was diagnosed with human leukocyte antigen‐B27‐positive ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and treated with nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs for AS. The severe atrioventricular block spontaneously improved and resolved after 3 months of therapy. Sequential cardiac magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated transient myocardial high‐intensity signals in the basal septum close to the membranous portion of the septum. A pacemaker was not needed because of the reversible atrioventricular block.
Inhibition of the Numb/Notch signaling pathway increases radiation sensitivity in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells
Authors: Shen Er‐Dong , Zeng Qiang
Published: July 2019

Radiation therapy is the primary treatment for primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The aim of this study is to identify the effect of the Numb/Notch signaling pathway on radiation sensitivity in human NPC cells. NPC tissues and normal nasopharyngeal tissues were collected. To evaluate the regulatory effects of the Numb/Notch signaling pathway, NPC cells were subjected to radiotherapy and various doses of the Numb/Notch signaling pathway inhibitor gamma secretase inhibitor (GSI). Next, the expression of Notch and Numb proteins was determined in NPC tissues and normal nasopharyngeal tissues, and the correlation of Notch and Numb protein expression with the clinicopathological features of NPC tissues was analyzed. Then, the effect of radiotherapy on NPC cell survival rate, survival fraction, apoptosis rate, proliferation, migration, and invasion as well as Numb/Notch signaling pathway‐related molecules was detected. The results demonstrated that the Numb/Notch signaling pathway was activated in NPC tissues. Following treatment with radiotherapy and GSI, the Numb/Notch signaling pathway was inhibited. In addition, the NPC cell survival rate, survival fraction, cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were decreased, whereas the colony number and apoptosis rate were increased. Following radiotherapy and GSI treatment, Numb expression was increased, whereas Notch1, Hes1, Jagged1, and c‐Myc expression was decreased. However, the greatest difference was noted upon treatment with radiotherapy +15 μM GSI. The results reported in this study suggest that a high dose of the inhibitor of the Numb/Notch signaling pathway GSI increased the radiation sensitivity in human NPC cells.
miR‐522 facilitates the prosperities of endometrial carcinoma cells by directly binding to monoamine oxidase B
Authors: Zhang Hong‐Chang , Han Yan‐Yan , Zhang Xin‐Min , Xiao Nan , Jiang Tao , Zhu Shuang , Wang En‐Peng , Chen Chang‐Bao
Published: July 2019

It is well known that microRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial regulatory factors in tumorigenesis, as tumor suppressors or cancer‐promoting factors. However, the study of endometrial carcinoma relevance in miR‐522 is rare, indicating an undefined molecular mechanism for its role. Therefore, we performed this study to examine the role of miR‐522 on the biological behaviors of endometrial carcinoma. In this work, we found that miR‐522 was highly expressed in endometrial carcinoma and negatively regulated monoamine oxidase B (MAOB) expression. They also have the opposite effect on prognosis of endometrial carcinoma patients. More importantly, miR‐522 could decreased MAOB expression by binding to MAOB with a putative site, thereby promoting cell proliferation, migration, and invasion through in vitro functional analyses, including MTT assay, wound‐healing and transwell invasion experiments. Upregulation of MAOB rescued the impacts of miR‐522 mimic on cell behaviors. In conclusion, our observations demonstrated that miR‐522 accelerated the progression of endometrial carcinoma by inhibiting MAOB, which might lead to a novel therapeutic therapy for endometrial carcinoma.
Outcomes of head and neck surgery in patients with a history of solid organ transplantation
Authors: Al‐Qurayshi Zaid , Walsh Jarrett , Owen Scott , Randolph Gregory , Kandil Emad
Published: July 2019

Objectives/Hypothesis

Examine the prevalence and outcomes of head and neck surgeries in patients with a history of organ transplantation.

Study Design

A retrospective cross‐sectional analysis utilizing the Nationwide Readmissions Database, 2010 to 2014.

Methods

The study population included adults patients who underwent head and neck surgeries. Patients with a reported history of solid organ transplantation were compared to patients with no such history.

Results

The study population included 322 transplant patients (76.4% kidney, 8.7% liver, 8.4% heart, 3.0% kidney/pancreas, 2.3% lung, 0.9% kidney/liver, 0.4% pancreas) and 120,401 controls who underwent comparable procedures. Main surgeries that were performed in cases included 37.8% parathyroid, 17.7% thyroid, 11.2% major salivary gland, 10.6% major mouth/tonsil, and 9.6% major nose/paranasal sinuses. Encountering transplant patients in otolaryngology practice has been increasing annually by three patients for every 10,000 procedures performed in the United States. There was no difference in the overall postoperative complications risk (12.5% vs. 10.1%, P = .26); however, cases had a higher risk of acute renal failure (5.4% vs. 1.1%, P < .001) and shock state (0.3% vs. 0.02%, P < .001). Readmission risk was higher for cases (6.8% vs. 3.4%, P = .003). There was no reported in‐hospital mortality among cases.

Conclusions

Transplant patients are increasingly encountered in otolaryngology practices. The most common transplanted organ is kidney, and the most commonly performed procedure is parathyroidectomy.

Level of Evidence

NA

Laryngoscope, 130:E89–E97, 2020
Predictive value of olfactory impairment for cognitive decline among cognitively normal adults
Authors: Windon Melina J. , Kim Sun Joo , Oh Esther S. , Lin Sandra Y.
Published: July 2019

Objective

Dementia affects over 47 million people worldwide. Olfactory impairment (OI) is a well‐established predictive marker of conversion to dementia among those with mild cognitive impairment. This systematic review aims to describe the predictive value of OI for future cognitive decline among cognitively normal adults.

Methods

A literature search encompassing PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane for longitudinal cohort studies following cognitively normal adults with baseline OI in comparison to those without OI reporting incident cognitive impairment or dementia was included. Study design, participant demographics, olfactory testing method, and incidence of cognitive decline or dementia were abstracted. Two investigators independently reviewed all articles.

Results

The search yielded 964 nonduplicate abstracts and titles, from which 19 full‐text articles were reviewed and 10 were included. Studies included were all good quality (mean score 8.7 of 9), and all studies (100%) found a statistically significant association between baseline OI and incident cognitive decline compared with normosmic controls.

Conclusion

The existing literature suggests that OI predicts future cognitive decline among cognitively normal adults, supporting olfactory evaluation as a low‐cost, minimally invasive, and widely available screening tool to be used in combination with other tests to identify adults at early risk of dementia.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 130:840–847, 2020
Full‐length 16S rRNA gene classification of Atlantic salmon bacteria and effects of using different 16S variable regions on community structure analysis
Authors: Klemetsen Terje , Willassen Nils Peder , Karlsen Christian René
Published: July 2019

Understanding fish‐microbial relationships may be of great value for fish producers as fish growth, development and welfare are influenced by the microbial community associated with the rearing systems and fish surfaces. Accurate methods to generate and analyze these microbial communities would be an important tool to help improve understanding of microbial effects in the industry. In this study, we performed taxonomic classification and determination of operational taxonomic units on Atlantic salmon microbiota by taking advantage of full‐length 16S rRNA gene sequences. Skin mucus was dominated by the genera Flavobacterium and Psychrobacter. Intestinal samples were dominated by the genera Carnobacterium, Aeromonas, Mycoplasma and by sequences assigned to the order Clostridiales. Applying Sanger sequencing on the full‐length bacterial 16S rRNA gene from the pool of 46 isolates obtained in this study showed a clear assignment of the PacBio full‐length bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequences down to the genus level. One of the bottlenecks in comparing microbial profiles is that different studies use different 16S rRNA gene regions. Comparisons of sequence assignments between full‐length and in silico derived variable 16S rRNA gene regions showed different microbial profiles with variable effects between phylogenetic groups and taxonomic ranks.
TERT gene polymorphisms are associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease risk in the Chinese Li population
Authors: Ding Yipeng , Li Quanni , Wu Cibing , Wang Wei , Zhao Jie , Feng Qiong , Zhou Xiaoman , Xie Yufei , Lin Mei , He Ping , Xie Pingdong
Published: July 2019

Background

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide and is characterized by a partially reversible airflow limitation. Currently, many studies put forward that COPD is associated with both genetic and environmental factors. It has been reported that germline mutations in telomerase are risk factors for COPD susceptibility. In this study, we validated the association between TERT polymorphisms and COPD risk with a case–control study in the Chinese Li population.

Methods

A total of 279 COPD patients and 290 control individuals were recruited. We identified five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in TERT that were associated with COPD. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated in logistic regression models after adjusting for age and gender to assess the association.

Results

In the genetic model analysis, we found the “C/T‐T/T” genotype of rs10069690 in TERT was associated with an increased COPD risk in the dominant model (p = 0.046); the rs2853677 in TERT was significantly associated with increased COPD risk based on the codominant model (“A/G” genotype, p = 0.033), dominant model (A/G‐G/G genotype, p = 0.0091), and log‐additive model (p = 0.023). The rs2853676 in TERT could increase the risk of COPD in the dominant model (“C/T‐T/T” genotype, p = 0.026) and in the Log‐additive model (p = 0.022).

Conclusion

Our data shed new light on the association between TERT SNPs and COPD susceptibility in the Chinese Li population.
Selective Proteolysis of α‐Lactalbumin by Endogenous Enzymes of Human Milk at Acidic pH
Authors: Gan Junai , Zheng Jingyuan , Krishnakumar Nithya , Goonatilleke Elisha , Lebrilla Carlito B. , Barile Daniela , German J. Bruce
Published: July 2019

Scope

The use of human milk products is increasing for high‐risk infants. Human milk contains endogenous enzymes that comprise a dynamic proteolytic system, yet biological properties of these enzymes and their activities in response to variations including pH within infants are unclear. Human milk has a neutral pH around 7, while infant gastric pH varies from 2 to 6 depending on individual conditions. This study is designed to determine the specificity of enzyme–substrate interactions in human milk as a function of pH.

Methods and results

Endogenous proteolysis is characterized by incubating freshly expressed human milk at physiologically relevant pH ranging from 2 to 7 without the addition of exogenous enzymes. Results show that the effects of pH on endogenous proteolysis in human milk are protein‐specific. Further, specific interactions between cathepsin D and α‐lactalbumin are confirmed. The endogenous enzyme cathepsin D in human milk cleaves α‐lactalbumin as the milk pH shifts from 7 to 3.

Conclusions

This study documents that selective proteolysis activated by pH shift is a mechanism for dynamic interactions between human milk and the infant. Controlled proteolysis can guide the use of human milk products based on individual circumstance.
Smoking as risk factor for carpal tunnel syndrome: A birth cohort study
Authors: Hulkkonen Sina , Auvinen Juha , Miettunen Jouko , Karppinen Jaro , Ryhänen Jorma
Published: July 2019

Background

Our aim was to determine whether maternal smoking and offspring's own smoking affect the offspring's risk for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

Method

The study sample consisted of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 (N = 8703). Information on maternal smoking was collected from the participants’ mothers. At 31 years, information on smoking, body mass index, socioeconomic status, and long‐term illnesses were collected, combined with data of CTS diagnoses from the Care Register for Health Care (1997–2016).

Results

Maternal smoking was not associated with increased risk of CTS in offspring. Before the age of 31 years, smoking ≤10 pack years (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.54, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.11–2.15) and >10 pack years (HR = 1.90; 95% CI = 1.20–3.01) among women, and >10 pack years (HR = 1.89; 95% CI = 1.14–3.12) among men was associated with CTS compared with nonsmokers.

Conclusions

In this birth cohort, offsprings’ own smoking was associated with CTS; however, maternal smoking was not.
Glutamine in Burn Injury
Authors: Wischmeyer Paul E.
Published: July 2019

Burn injury is the most devastating of survivable injuries and is a worldwide public health crisis. Burn injury is among the most severe metabolic stresses a patient can sustain. A major burn leads to an inflammatory response and catabolism that, when compounded by burn wound nutrient losses, can lead to severe nutrition losses and deficiencies. These losses can impair immune function and wound healing and place burn patients at high risk for organ injury and mortality. Experimental data indicate glutamine (GLN) is well positioned mechanistically, perhaps above and beyond in any other intensive care unit setting, to improve outcome in burn‐injured patients. Initial clinical trial data have also shown a consistent signal of reduced mortality and reduced hospital length of stay in burn‐injured subjects, without signals of clinical risk. A number of GLN clinical trials demonstrate significant reductions of gram‐negative bacteremia in burn injury, perhaps via maintenance of the gut barrier or gut immune function. Current societal recommendations continue to suggest the use of GLN in burn injury. The promising clinical data in burn‐injured patients, with no signals of harm, have warranted study of GLN in the definitive RE‐ENERGIZE trial, which is now ongoing.
Increased Needs for Copper in Parenteral Nutrition for Children in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit With an Ostomy
Authors: Adler Andrea , Worley Sarah , Radhakrishnan Kadakkal
Published: July 2019

Background

Copper (Cu) is an essential trace element, with deficiency causing anemia, neutropenia, and other abnormalities. Cu is mainly absorbed in the small intestine. Patients with intestinal failure or jejunostomy have increased Cu losses and require additional Cu supplementation in parenteral nutrition (PN). The American Society for Clinical Nutrition standards for trace element recommendations in PN, including Cu, were created in 1988, and the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition currently follows the same recommendations.

Methods

Patients admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit for surgical intervention resulting in an ostomy (ileal or jejunal) were included in this retrospective study. Patients received PN support with Cu dosed individually, rather than in a multi‐trace element package. Cu and ostomy output were analyzed daily. Serum Cu was obtained 2 months postsurgical intervention.

Results

Out of the 7 patients enrolled, 71% had low serum Cu. Weekly mean Cu intake for all 7 patients ranged from 5.3 to 154.8 μg/kg/day from enteral and parenteral sources, with individual mean weekly Cu intake ranging from 18.9 to 74.4 μg/kg/day from surgical intervention to 2 months post‐surgery. Patients’ weekly ostomy outputs ranged from 0 mL/kg/day to 77.2 mL/kg/day, with individual mean weekly output ranging from 3.7 to 41.6 mL/kg/day.

Conclusion

Providing 20 μg/kg/day of Cu in PN to neonates with ostomies is insufficient to prevent Cu deficiency. Further studies are warranted to determine an optimal dosage of parenteral Cu to prevent Cu deficiency.
Efficient allocation of elastic interfederation encrypted streaming sessions
Authors: Xavier Rafael , Granville Lisandro Zambenedetti , De Turck Filip , Volckaert Bruno
Published: July 2019

Audio and video (A/V) collaboration platforms often use Internet cloud technologies to ensure elasticity. They generally operate on a best‐effort basis, without quality or delivery guarantees. However, such guarantees are a premise of business‐focused platforms, which often rely on static/dedicated infrastructure and hardware‐based components. This article presents results obtained in the final stage of the Elastic Media Distribution (EMD) project, which targets the migration of a business‐focused hardware‐based A/V collaboration tool towards a more elastic, reliable, and secure cloud‐based model. The use case under investigation is an educational scenario: teachers and students located at distributed sites collaborate under different data encryption policies. An existing model of collaboration streaming is extended to accommodate encryption‐enabled streaming components, and new resource allocation heuristics are proposed to deploy these components under stringent service level agreement (SLA) constraints. An extended version of our evaluation framework, based on the CloudSim simulator, manages encryption‐enabled components. A resource usage dataset was obtained by prototyping selected streaming components and evaluating their performance on the Virtual Wall large‐scale test bed. This dataset is fed into the extended simulation framework. Simulation results show longer than expected delays when loading streaming components, an issue that jeopardises the user experience that can be alleviated by the algorithms proposed in this article. Results show that the proposed algorithms enable policy‐based secured communications under bandwidth and virtual machine (VM) cost increases of 48% and 23%, respectively, if compared with a nonencrypted previous solution, and with set‐up times remaining under the required 2‐second deadline.
Crowdfunding operations: Outreach factors in developing economies
Authors: Samarah Waleed Eid Abdel Rhman , Alkhatib Saleh Fahed Saleh
Published: July 2019

This study aims to explore factors that contribute to the outreach of crowdfunding platforms in developing economies. Specifically, it aims to examine the perspectives of experts, funders, and fundraisers to provide several applicable recommendations to accelerate the outreach. An initial framework has been developed to fit with the developing economies; experts from Jordan were meet to validate the framework suitability; two questionnaires were developed for funders and fundraisers; crowdfunding experts from more than 10 countries worldwide reviewed and validated the methodology and the questionnaires; 833 questionnaires were collected, coded, and analyzed; analysis and statistical tests validated by statistical academic and analysis specialists. Outcomes affirm the importance of crowdfunding outreach proposed factors in developing economies with a variation between concerned parties: Experts emphasize “supervision and a regulatory framework”; funders focus on “Openness and Transparency”; and fundraisers focus on “Financial Knowledge” as essential factors to the outreach of these platforms. This study focused on the “Debit ‐based” and “Equity ‐based” crowdfunding platforms. Therefore, some findings may not be generalized to the “Donation ‐based” and “Reward ‐based” platforms. Several applicable recommendations have been suggested.
Sibship and dispensing patterns of asthma medication in young children—a population‐based study
Authors: Dahlén Elin , Ekberg Sara , Lundholm Cecilia , Jonsson Eva Wikström , Kull Inger , Wettermark Björn , Almqvist Catarina
Published: July 2019

Purpose

Our aim was to study the association between sibship and dispensing patterns of asthma medication in young children, focusing on incidence and persistence, and taking sibship status, asthma diagnoses, and siblings' medication into account.

Methods

A register‐based cohort study including all children (n = 50 546) born in Stockholm, Sweden 2006 to 2007, followed up during 2006 to 2014. Exposure was sibling status; outcome was incidence of dispensed asthma medication and persistence over time. A Cox model was used to study the association between sibship and asthma medication. Persistence was defined using two different time windows (4 and 18 months) in a refill sequence model including siblings' and unrelated control children's medication.

Results

After 1 year of age, the adjusted hazard ratio of dispensed asthma medication was 0.85 (95% CI 0.80‐0.90) among children with siblings compared with singletons. The estimated proportion of children with persistent controller medication was 7.2% (4‐month model) and 64.5% (18‐month model). When including the siblings' controller medication, the estimated proportion was 8.8% (4 months) and 7.8% for control children (relative risk (RR) 0.89, 95% CI 0.81‐0.98). The persistence was lower for those with siblings compared with singletons (adj. RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.62‐0.85 for 4 months) with similar estimates for older, younger, and full siblings and regardless of asthma diagnoses.

Conclusions

Siblings have different dispensing patterns of asthma medications compared with singletons regardless of asthma diagnoses. After including the siblings' asthma medication and compared with control children, the proportion of children with persistent medication increased which may indicate that siblings share asthma medications.
Teachers’ role and attitudes concerning ADHD medication: A qualitative analysis
Authors: Sluiter Maruschka N. , Wienen Albert W. , Thoutenhoofd Ernst D. , Doornenbal Jeannette M. , Batstra Laura
Published: July 2019

The increased use of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) medication by children has led to growing concerns. In a previous study, we found that many of the teachers that were interviewed about ADHD spontaneously associated ADHD with medication. The present study is a qualitative reanalysis of what precisely these 30 primary school teachers had spontaneously said about medication in our previous semi‐structured interviews on ADHD. Almost all respondents had experience with pupils taking ADHD medication. The majority of spontaneously mentions medication as the treatment of ADHD. Attitudes towards ADHD medication use by pupils are mainly ambivalent, but more positive than negative effects of medication are reported. However, what teachers say about ADHD medication is often not based on sound information; their attitudes tend to be formed by personal experiences rather than founded on professional and scientific sources. We conclude from our analysis that it will be in the interest of reducing the number of children on ADHD medication that teachers have good access to verified and up‐to‐date information on ADHD and medication so that they are better supported in making evidence‐based pedagogical judgments.
Anisotropic atomic layer etching of W using fluorine radicals/oxygen ion beam
Authors: Kim Doo San , Kim Ju Eun , Lee Won Oh , Park Jin Woo , Gill You Jung , Jeong Byeong Hwa , Yeom Geun Young
Published: July 2019

Atomic layer etching (ALE) has advantages such as precise thickness control, high etch selectivity, and no‐increase in surface roughness which can be applied to sub 10 nm semiconductor device fabrication. In this study, anisotropic ALE of tungsten (W), which is used as an interconnect layer and gate material of semiconductor devices, was investigated by sequentially exposing to F radicals by NF3 plasma to form a WFy layer and following exposure to an oxygen ion beam to remove the WFy layer by forming volatile WOxFy at room temperature. A wide ALE window of F radical adsorption time of ( ≥ 10 s/cycle) and Ox+ ion desorption time of (10 ≤ t ≤ 50 s/cycle at + 44–51 eV of Ox+ ion energy) could be identified, and at the ALE conditions, a precise etch rate of ~2.6 Å/cycle was obtained while increasing the W etch depth linearly with increasing the number of etch cycles. At the optimized W ALE conditions, the W surface roughness after the W ALE was similar to the as‐received W and the etch selectivity over SiO2 was close to infinite. However, after the W ALE, ~ 10% F diffused into W was observed on the etched W surface, and which could be removed by a following process.
Assessing the need for adenotonsillectomy for sleep‐disordered breathing in a community setting: A secondary outcome measures analysis of a randomized controlled study
Authors: Papadakis Chariton E. , Chaidas Konstantinos , Chimona Theognosia S. , Zisoglou Maria , Ladias Alexandros , Proimos Efklidis K. , Miligkos Michael , Kaditis Athanasios G.
Published: July 2019

Objective

To assess whether children with sleep‐disordered breathing (SDB) symptom severity above a certain level, measured by a validated questionnaire, improve after adenotonsillectomy (AT) compared to no intervention.

Methods

Children with snoring and tonsillar hypertrophy (4 to 10‐years old), who were candidates for AT, were randomly assigned to two evaluation sequences (baseline and 3‐month follow‐up): (a) evaluation immediately before AT and at 3 months postoperatively (AT group); or (b) evaluation at the initial visit and at the end of the usual 3‐month waiting period for surgery (control group). Outcomes were (a) Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire sleep‐related breathing disorder scale (PSQ‐SRBD); (b) modified Epworth Sleepiness Scale (mESS); and (c) proportion of subjects achieving PSQ‐SRBD <0.33 (low‐risk for apnea‐hypopnea index ≥5/h) if they had score ≥0.33 at baseline.

Results

Sixty‐eight children were assigned to the AT and 72 to the control group and two‐thirds of them had PSQ‐SRBD ≥0.33. The AT group experienced significantly larger improvement between follow‐up and baseline than controls (between‐group difference [95% CI] for PSQ‐SRBD: −0.31 [−0.35 to −0.27]; and mESS: −2.76 [−3.63 to −1.90]; P < .001 for both). Children with baseline PSQ‐SRBD ≥0.33 in the AT group had an eight‐times higher probability of achieving PSQ‐SRBD <0.33 at follow‐up than controls with similar baseline score (risk ratio [95% CI]: 8.33 [3.92‐17.54]; P < .001).

Conclusion

Among children with snoring, tonsillar hypertrophy, and clinical indications for AT, those with preoperative PSQ‐SRBD score ≥0.33 show measurable clinical benefit postoperatively.
ProtDCal‐Suite: A web server for the numerical codification and functional analysis of proteins
Authors: Romero‐Molina Sandra , Ruiz‐Blanco Yasser B. , Green James R. , Sanchez‐Garcia Elsa
Published: July 2019

Computational tools for the analysis of protein data and the prediction of biological properties are essential in life sciences and biomedical research. Here, we introduce ProtDCal‐Suite, a web server comprising a set of machine learning‐based methods for studying proteins. The main module of ProtDCal‐Suite is the ProtDCal software. ProtDCal translates the structural information of proteins into numerical descriptors that serve as input to machine‐learning techniques. The ProtDCal‐Suite server also incorporates a post‐processing optional stage that allows ranking and filtering the obtained descriptors by computing their Shannon entropy values across the input set of proteins. ProtDCal's codification was used in the development of models for the prediction of specific protein properties. Thus, the other modules of ProtDCal‐Suite are protein analysis tools implemented using ProtDCal's descriptors. Among them are PPI‐Detect, for predicting the interaction likelihood of protein–protein and protein–peptide pairs, Enzyme Identifier, for identifying enzymes from amino acid sequences or 3D structures, and Pred‐NGlyco, for predicting N‐glycosylation sites. ProtDCal‐Suite is freely accessible at https://protdcal.zmb.uni‐due.de.