bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantifying the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on gastrointestinal cancer care delivery
Authors: Perkons Nicholas R. , Kim Casey , Boedec Chris , Keele Luke J. , Schneider Charles , Teitelbaum Ursina R. , Ben‐Josef Edgar , Gabriel Peter E. , Plastaras John P. , Shulman Lawrence N. , Wojcieszynski Andrzej P.
Published: June 2021

Background and Aim

This study quantifies how changes in healthcare utilization and delivery during the first months of the COVID‐19 pandemic have altered the presentation, treatment, and management of patients with gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies within an academic health system.

Methods and results

Patients diagnosed with a GI malignancy (ICD10: C15‐C26) who received medical care within the health system during the observation period (first 44 weeks of 2019 and 2020) were identified for a retrospective cohort study. Deidentified patient encounter parameters were collected for this observation period and separated into pre‐pandemic (weeks 1–10) and early pandemic (weeks 11–20) study periods. Difference‐in‐difference analyses adjusted for week‐specific and year‐specific effects quantified the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on care delivery between pre‐pandemic and early pandemic study periods in 2020. Across all GI malignancies, the COVID‐19 pandemic has been associated with a significant decline in the number of patients with new patient visits (NPVs) (p = 1.2 × 10−4), Radiology encounters (p = 1.9 × 10−7), Surgery encounters (p = 1.6 × 10−3), Radiation Oncology encounters (p = 4.1 × 10−3), and infusion visits (6.1 × 10−5). Subgroup analyses revealed cancer‐specific variations in changes to delivery. Patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) had the most significant decrease in NPVs (p = 7.1 × 10−5), which was significantly associated with a concomitant decrease in colonoscopies performed during the early pandemic period (r2 = 0.722, p = 2.1 × 10−10).

Conclusions

The COVID‐19 pandemic has been associated with significant disruptions to care delivery. While these effects were appreciated broadly across GI malignancies, CRC, diagnosed and managed by periodic screening, has been affected most acutely.
Survivors of childhood cancer in Latin America: Role of foundations and peer groups in the lack of transition processes to adult long‐term follow‐up
Authors: Rossell Nuria , Olarte‐Sierra María Fernanda , Challinor Julia
Published: June 2021

Background

Over the last decade, the population of childhood cancer survivors has rapidly increased in Latin America, opening a long chapter of challenges for healthcare providers in these countries to provide follow‐up and adult care.

Aim

In the process of exploring childhood cancer parent and patient engagement in resource‐limited settings, we highlight the challenges faced by Latin American survivors from El Salvador, Mexico, and Peru as they transitioned from receiving cancer treatment to life as a cancer survivors.

Methods and Results

Focus group discussions and interviews were performed as part of a larger qualitative study involving 10 low and middle‐income countries in four continents regarding patient and caregiver engagement in childhood cancer treatment. We present the results of the Latin‐American survivors and their experiences finishing treatment and life outside the pediatric oncology follow‐up system. Themes regarding a) losing eligibility for pediatric surveillance and care, b) the importance of peer survivors, and c) the need for giving back were part of their stories.

Conclusion

We suggest that given the lack of organized support from healthcare systems and providers for survivors' proper transition into adult‐centered care, foundations and non‐governmental organizations can provide transitional support, offer space for guidance/information, and work towards collaboration among systems for future integrated programs.
High‐quality steganography scheme using hybrid edge detector and Vernam algorithm based on hybrid fuzzy neural network
Authors: Dhawan Sachin , Gupta Rashmi
Published: June 2021

There has been a developing extension in the utilization of steganography, because of the advancement in utilizing web innovation and interactive media innovation. Subsequently, these days, the data are not made sure about adequately while transmitting it over the system. Data are the most significant resource for the current electronic communication framework. Thus the data security has played a significant job to give protection from unapproved people. Steganography is the technique that provides the solution for this challenge. This article proposes a novel type of steganography strategy in which it uses the hybrid algorithm for higher security and a hybrid fuzzy neural network is utilized for the good quality of stego images. For higher security, this article utilizes the Sobel and Kirsch edge identifier and then the Vernam algorithm utilized for encrypting the secret image. Thereafter this article utilizes the combination of fuzzy logic and neural network for enhancing the quality of stego images. There are various advantages of this technique that it can be utilized in various areas, for example, confidential data communication in the defense sector, medical, electronic governance, banking, communication, and so on.
Long‐Term Generation of Longitudinal Spin Order Controlled by Ammonia Ligation Enables Rapid SABRE Hyperpolarized 2D NMR
Authors: Vaneeckhaute Ewoud , De Ridder Sophie , Tyburn Jean‐Max , Kempf James G. , Taulelle Francis , Martens Johan A. , Breynaert Eric
Published: June 2021

The front cover artwork front cover artwork is provided by NMRCoRe, the Flemish NMR/X‐Ray platform for Convergence Research and was designed by Ir. Ewoud Vaneeckhaute and Dr. Eric Breynaert. The image shows the reciprocity between parahydrogen, deuterated ammonia and iridium allowing for hyperpolarized 2D NMR via long‐term availability of longitudinal spin order. Read the full text of the Article at 10.1002/cphc.202100079.
Exploring the problems and potential of curriculum‐making for social learning: Implications for policy and practice
Authors: Restad Frode
Published: June 2021

Although enhancing students’ social and emotional learning is a central concern in curriculum‐making at the policy level, little is still known about how curriculum‐making in the classroom can support such outcomes. Building on interviews and observations of students and teachers in lower secondary education in Norway, this study investigates how teachers support their students social learning through subject teaching in language and science, and explores the challenges related to such practices. The study identifies four main ways that teachers support social learning by; framing personal experiences as meaningful contents, facilitating community through peer assessment, using group work to develop shared practices and extending purpose to influence students’ identities through their subject teaching. The study concludes that curriculum‐making for social learning has potential as a strategy to support students’ social and academic learning in a more sustainable and meaningful way. Realising this potential, however, will require addressing the problems related to such practices and providing better guidance and support to avoid overburdening teachers and marginalising students.
Stages of embryonic development in the live‐bearing fish, Gambusia holbrooki
Authors: Mousavi Seyed Ehsan , Patil Jawahar G.
Published: June 2021

Background

Divergent morphology and placentation of Poeciliids make them suitable model for investigating how evolutionary selection has altered and conserved the developmental mechanisms. However, there is limited description of their embryonic staging, despite representing a key evolutionary node that shares developmental strategy with placental vertebrates. Here, we describe the embryonic developmental stages of Gambusia holbrooki from zygote to parturition using freshly harvested embryos.

Results

We defined 40 embryonic stages using a numbered (stages 0‐39; zygote to parturition, respectively) and named (grouped into seven periods, ie, zygote, cleavage, blastula, gastrula, segmentation, pharyngula, and parturition) staging system. Two sets of quantitative (ie, egg diameter, embryonic total length, otic vesicle closure index, heart rates, the number of caudal fin rays and elements) and qualitative (ie, three‐dimensional analysis of images and key morphological criteria) data were acquired and used in combination to describe each stage. All 40 stages are separated by well‐defined morphological traits, revealing developmental novelties that are influenced by narrow perivitelline space, placentation, internal gestation, and sex differentiation.

Conclusions

The principal diagnostic features described are quick, reliable, and easy to apply. This system will benefit researchers investigating molecular ontogeny, particularly sexual differentiation mechanisms in G. holbrooki.
Modes of drought climatization: A frame analysis of drought problematization in Germany across policy fields
Authors: Müller Wibke , Kruse Sylvia
Published: June 2021

Since 2003, droughts have been problematized within a climate change frame in Germany. Scholars describe this framing process as climatization. In our research, we conduct a qualitative content analysis of sector journal articles to investigate the climatization of drought within the three most affected policy fields in Germany: agriculture, water management, and forestry. The research objectives are to investigate how climatization processes evolve and take place within a specific policy field, and what different modes of climatization can be identified. The results are based on a framing analysis of 267 articles from journals published by political associations of farmers, water managers, and foresters at both the national and a state level, covering drought problematization relating to two major drought events in 2003 and 2011–2012. The article shows that four modes of climatization can be distinguished: scientification, securitization, technocratization, and transformation. With this empirically based heuristic, we contribute to advancing the concept of climatization by operationalizing it into a more profound, empirically grounded analytical concept that can be applied to critically investigate policymaking processes related to reducing disaster risks and achieving climate adaptation.
The Quest for Optimal 3 d Orbital Splitting in Tetrahedral Cobalt Single‐Molecule Magnets Featuring Colossal Anisotropy and Hysteresis
Authors: Legendre Christina M. , Damgaard‐Møller Emil , Overgaard Jacob , Stalke Dietmar
Published: June 2021

Only a few four‐coordinated Co2+‐complexes show single‐molecule magnet (SMM) properties without an applied dc field. Common for those is a large magnetic anisotropy generated by the close proximity of the
and
orbitals. This type of magnetic anisotropy is strongly correlated with the extent of structural distortion from ideal tetrahedral towards linear coordination. Quantification of the governing magneto‐structural correlations is hence crucial for the development of better SMMs. For this purpose, we synthesized and analyzed four significantly distorted tetrahedral cobalt complexes that exhibit extremely large magnetic anisotropies and slow relaxation of magnetization in zero field. The N−Co−N bite angles vary from 70.8 to 72.7°, and magnetic measurements show strong anisotropy with D‐values in the range from
75 to
114 cm−1. Ab initio calculations supported the experimental results and highlighted a significant increase of D up to
141 cm−1, correlated with the reduction of the energy difference between the
and
orbitals. Based on these magneto‐structural correlations and in contrast to the current assumption that the smaller bite angle is the better, we predict that with an ideal bite angle in the range from 76–78° in distorted Co(N2R)2 complexes, the energy difference between the two important d‐orbitals is at a minimum and hence the magnetic anisotropy is maximized.
Ipragliflozin Improves the Hepatic Outcomes of Patients With Diabetes with NAFLD
Authors: Takahashi Hirokazu , Kessoku Takaomi , Kawanaka Miwa , Nonaka Michihiro , Hyogo Hideyuki , Fujii Hideki , Nakajima Tomoaki , Imajo Kento , Tanaka Kenichi , Kubotsu Yoshihito , Isoda Hiroshi , Oeda Satoshi , Kurai Osamu , Yoneda Masato , Ono Masafumi , Kitajima Yoichiro , Tajiri Ryo , Takamori Ayako , Kawaguchi Atsushi , Aishima Shinichi , Kage Masayoshi , Nakajima Atsushi , Eguchi Yuichiro , Anzai Keizo
Published: June 2021

Sodium glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) are now widely used to treat diabetes, but their effects on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remain to be determined. We aimed to evaluate the effects of SGLT2is on the pathogenesis of NAFLD. A multicenter, randomized, controlled trial was conducted in patients with type 2 diabetes with NAFLD. The changes in glycemic control, obesity, and liver pathology were compared between participants taking ipragliflozin (50 mg/day for 72 weeks; IPR group) and participants being managed without SGLT2is, pioglitazone, glucagon‐like peptide‐1 analogs, or insulin (CTR group). In the IPR group (n = 25), there were significant decreases in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and body mass index (BMI) during the study (HbA1c, −0.41%, P < 0.01; BMI, −1.06 kg/m2, P < 0.01), whereas these did not change in the CTR group (n = 26). Liver pathology was evaluated in 21/25 participants in the IPR/CTR groups, and hepatic fibrosis was found in 17 (81%) and 18 (72%) participants in the IPR and CTR groups at baseline. This was ameliorated in 70.6% (12 of 17) of participants in the IPR group and 22.2 % (4 of 18) of those in the CTR group (P < 0.01). Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) resolved in 66.7% of IPR‐treated participants and 27.3% of CTR participants. None of the participants in the IPR group developed NASH, whereas 33.3% of the CTR group developed NASH. Conclusion: Long‐term ipragliflozin treatment ameliorates hepatic fibrosis in patients with NAFLD. Thus, ipragliflozin might be effective for the treatment and prevention of NASH in patients with diabetes, as well as improving glycemic control and obesity. Therefore, SGLT2is may represent a therapeutic choice for patients with diabetes with NAFLD, but further larger studies are required to confirm these effects.
Redox‐Neutral Syntheses and Electrochemical Studies of 10‐Bromo‐Substituted Light‐Stable Antivitamin B12 Candidates
Authors: Brenig Christopher , Mosberger Leila , Baumann Katja , Blacque Olivier , Zelder Felix
Published: June 2021

This publication describes the straightforward and redox‐neutral synthesis of 10‐bromophenylethynylcobalamin and its facile conversion to 10‐bromoaquacobalamin. In this approach, the phenylethynyl ligand acts as convenient light‐stable protecting group that is removed in quantitative yield under acidic conditions. The proteolytic cleavage at pH 2.0 was studied under pseudo‐first‐order conditions and is 1.5 times slower than that of phenylethynylcobalamin with a hydrogen instead of a bromine at C(10). Preliminary electrochemical studies of organometallic ethynyl‐Cbls (Cbl=cobalamin) are reported for the first time. A reduction potential
of −0.94 V vs. Ag/AgCl was determined for the CoIII/CoI reduction of 10‐bromophenylethynylcobalamin. The positive potential shift of 180 mV compared to phenylethynylcobalamin is in agreement with earlier electrochemical studies of related cyanocobalamins.
Enantioselective Total Synthesis of (+)‐Nordasycarpidone, (+)‐Dasycarpidone, and (+)‐Uleine
Authors: Delayre Bastien , Fung Cédric , Wang Qian , Zhu Jieping
Published: June 2021

The structure of uleine type alkaloids is characterized by the presence of a bridged tetracyclic hexahydro‐1H‐1,5‐methanoazocino[4,3‐b]indole ring system 1. Various strategies have been developed to access this polycyclic structural motif. We report herein a one‐step conversion of appropriately functionalized 1,3,4‐trisubstituted cyclopent‐1‐ene to 1 by way of an integrated oxidation/reduction/cyclization (iORC) process. This domino sequence, initiated by oxidative cleavage of cyclopentene ring, generated subsequently a cyclohexenone, an indole and a 1,3‐bridged piperidine ring through formation of one C−C and two C−N bonds. Compound 1 is subsequently converted to nordasycarpidone, dasycarpidone and uleine. The chirality of the molecule was introduced by enzymatic desymmetrization of commercially available meso cis‐3,5‐diacetoxy‐1‐cyclopentene.
“The Ripple Effect”: The influence of social support on participation in a small workplace health promotion program
Authors: Bell Alexandra , Barrett Norma , Lamaro Haintz Greer
Published: June 2021

Issue addressed

Workplaces are key settings for health promotion. There is limited evidence pertaining to workplace health promotion [WHP] in Australian small and medium enterprises [SMEs], particularly in regional areas. This qualitative study explored employee perceptions of a pilot workplace health promotion program, LifeMAP, conducted in a small health service enterprise in regional Victoria 2014‐2017, including facilitators of participation and perceived benefits of participation.

Method

Ten LifeMAP participants were recruited using convenience sampling. Individual semi‐structured interviews (n = 7) and one focus group (n = 3) were conducted between August and September 2017. Data were analysed inductively and thematically to elicit emergent themes.

Results

Social support emerged as the overarching theme influencing participation in LifeMAP, and a perceived benefit of participation. Using FitBits® and setting exercise challenges enabled social support to be fostered through role modelling, staff collegiality and community. There may be gendered differences in the experiences of role modelling in WHP.

Conclusions

This SME, and others like it, often feature high levels of employee social connectedness, with a strong workplace and community networks. Social support is a critical influence in social connectedness which needs to be considered and incorporated into the design, implementation and evaluation of WHP programs as a means of overcoming WHP recruitment and participation challenges in regional SMEs.

So what?

The identification of social support as a key factor for WHP participation and employee satisfaction is a valuable finding providing insight into how similar programs may be better designed and implemented to enhance WHP program recruitment and retention.
An investigation of children's empathic dispositions and behaviours across seven countries
Authors: Kozloff Violet , Cowell Jason M. , Huppert Elizabeth , Gomez‐Sicard Natalia , Lee Kang , Mahasneh Randa , Malcolm‐Smith Susan , Selcuk Bilge , Zhou Xinyue , Decety Jean
Published: June 2021

This study examined individual influences on child empathy, the relationship between child and parent empathy, and the relationship between empathy and prosociality across seven countries. A large sample of children (N = 792, 49% female) from the ages of 6–10 years completed a situational empathy task, as well as a dictator game to assess prosociality. The questionnaire of cognitive and affective empathy was used to assess parents' and children's empathic dispositions. Children participated from Canada, China, Colombia, Jordan, South Africa, Turkey, and the United States. Situational empathy, empathic disposition, and prosociality were all positively associated with age. Boys displayed less situational empathy and lower empathic disposition than girls. Parental empathic disposition predicted the same dispositions in children but were not related to children's situational empathy or prosociality. No association was found between child prosociality and child empathic disposition. Overall, the results suggest similar ontologies of empathic disposition and situational empathy across countries.
Transobturator tape, tension‐free vaginal tape, and transvaginal tension‐free vaginal tape‐obturator for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence: A systematic review and network meta‐analysis
Authors: Wang Huitao , Liu Jinhong , Fang Kewei , Liu Jianhe , Chen Tao , Yang Tongxin , Shi Xin
Published: June 2021

Objective

To systematically review the safety and effectiveness of tension‐free vaginal tape (TVT), transobturator tape (TOT), and transvaginal tension‐free vaginal tape‐obturator (TVT‐O) in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Methods

The PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, WanFang Data, and CNKI were electronically searched. A total of 22 trials involving 3709 patients were included.

Results

The objective cure rate was better with TVT than with TOT and TVT‐O. The incidence of postoperative thigh/groin pain was lower with TVT than with TOT and TVT‐O, but the incidence of dysuria was higher with TVT than with TVT‐O. The incidence of lower urinary tract infection was higher with TVT than with TOT.

Conclusion

Tension‐free vaginal tape may have a better outcome compared to TOT and TVT‐O, but the risk of dysuria and lower urinary tract infection is higher with SUI.
Titania‐based sol–gel coatings with Ag, Ca‐P applied on titanium substrate developed for implantation
Authors: Švagrová Kristýna , Horkavcová Diana , Jablonská Eva , Helebrant Aleš
Published: June 2021

This research work is focused on the investigation of newly developed titania sol–gel coatings containing silver, calcium and phosphate with appropriate abilities to be implanted into the human body. These abilities include adhesion, bioactivity, antibacterial property and cytocompatibility of prepared coatings. Four types of coatings were applied on a titanium substrate by dip‐coating technique under different conditions (TCP1, TCP2, TCPA1 and TCPA2). Surfaces of coatings after the firing without silver featured different distribution of circular areas containing Ca. The coatings TCPA1 and TCPA2 were made up of unhomogeneously situated silver. Adhesion of the coatings to the substrates was measured by a tape test. All types of the coatings demonstrated very good adhesion. Isolated cracks that appeared during the firing did not have a negative influence on the adhesion properties. Bioactivity of the coatings was tested in vitro using a simulated body fluid. Three of the four types demonstrated bioactive properties (TCP1, TCP2 and TCPA2), that is, precipitation of crystalline hydroxyapatite as was confirmed by X‐ray diffraction. The antibacterial effect (against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis) and cytotoxicity (toward L929 and U‐2 OS cell lines, direct and indirect test) were then tested. All the coatings demonstrated very good antibacterial effect against both bacteria after 4‐ and 24‐hr interaction. All the coating types were evaluated as cytocompatible in the indirect test. Cells were able to grow even directly on the coatings.
Paradoxical association between lipoprotein cholesterol levels and left atrial function in hypertensive diabetic patients: A speckle tracking study
Authors: Kalaycıoğlu Ezgi , Çetin Mustafa , Kırış Tuncay , Özyıldız Ali Gökhan
Published: June 2021

Background

Studies have shown that subclinical left atrial (LA) dysfunction can be diagnosed with two‐dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D‐STE). Although low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, recent studies have reported a paradoxical relationship between LDL‐C level and atrial fibrillation. In this study, we investigated the relationship between LDL‐C levels and LA function.

Methods

In 168 patients with the diagnosis of hypertension and diabetes, transthoracic echocardiography with LA 2D‐STE was performed. The patients were then divided into two groups: normal LA‐strain (n = 94) or impaired LA‐strain (n = 74). The relationship between LDL‐C and LA function was analyzed.

Results

Patients with impaired LA‐strain had higher body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.029), higher statin usage (p = 0.003), and lower LDL‐C levels (p = 0.001) than patients with normal LA‐strain. They also had lower left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) (p = 0.047) and higher E‐wave velocity (mitral e, m/s) (p = 0.020). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that lower LDL‐C (p = 0.034), higher BMI (p = 0.004), lower LVEF (p = 0.004), and higher E‐wave velocity (p = 0.003) values were independently associated with impaired LA‐strain. The area under the receiver operating curve of LDL‐C in predicting impaired LA‐strain was 0.645 (0.564–0.730, p < 0.05). LDL‐C ≤ 112.5 mg/dl was found to be the optimal cut‐off value with 74.5% sensitivity and 51.2% specificity in predicting impaired LA strain.

Conclusion

In patients with hypertension and diabetes, LDC‐C levels are moderately but independently and paradoxically associated with impaired LA function assessed by 2D‐STE.
Distinguishing orthogonality graphs
Authors: Boutin Debra , Cockburn Sally
Published: June 2021

A graph is said to be ‐distinguishable if there is a labeling of the vertices with labels so that only the trivial automorphism preserves the labels. The smallest such is the distinguishing number, . A set of vertices is a determining set for if every automorphism of is uniquely determined by its action on . The size of a smallest determining set for is called the determining number, . The orthogonality graph has vertices which are bitstrings of length with an edge between two vertices if they differ in precisely bits. This paper shows that and that, if when is odd or when is even, then .
Genetic characterization and phylogenetic variations of human adenovirus‐F strains circulating in eastern India during 2017–2020
Authors: Chandra Pritam , Lo Mahadeb , Mitra Suvrotoa , Banerjee Anindita , Saha Priyanka , Okamoto Keinosuke , Deb Alok Kumar , Ghosh Sanat Kumar , Manna Asis , Dutta Shanta , Chawla‐Sarkar Mamta
Published: June 2021

Human adenovirus‐F (HAdV‐F) (genotype 40/41) is the second‐most leading cause of pediatric gastroenteritis after rotavirus, worldwide, accounting for 2.8%–11.8% of infantile diarrheal cases. Earlier studies across eastern India revealed a shift in the predominance of genotypes from HAdV41 in 2007–09 to HAdV40 in 2013–14. Thus, the surveillance for HAdV‐F genotypes in this geographical setting was undertaken over 2017–2020 to analyze the viral evolutionary dynamics. A total of 3882 stool samples collected from children (≤5 years) were screened for HAdV‐F positivity by conventional PCR. The hypervariable regions of the hexon and the partial shaft region of long fiber genes were amplified, sequenced, and phylogenetically analyzed with respect to the prototype strains. A marginal decrease in enteric HAdV prevalence was observed (9.04%, n = 351/3882) compared to the previous report (11.8%) in this endemic setting. Children <2 years were found most vulnerable to enteric HAdV infection. Reduction in adenovirus‐rotavirus co‐infection was evident compared to the sole adenovirus infection. HAdV‐F genotypes 40 and 41 were found to co‐circulate, but HAdV41 was predominant. HAdV40 strains were genetically conserved, whereas HAdV41 strains accumulated new mutations. On the basis of a different set of mutations in their genome, HAdV41 strains segregated into 2 genome type clusters (GTCs). Circulating HAdV41 strains clustered with GTC1 of the fiber gene, for the first time during this study period. This study will provide much‐needed baseline data on the emergence and circulation of HAdV40/41 strains for future vaccine development.
Late‐onset intrauterine growth restriction and HHV‐6 infection: A pilot study
Authors: Bortolotti Daria , Gentili Valentina , Santi Erica , Taliento Cristina , Vitagliano Amerigo , Schiuma Giovanna , Beltrami Silvia , Rizzo Sabrina , Lanza Giovanni , Rizzo Roberta , Gafà Roberta , Greco Pantaleo
Published: June 2021

Late‐onset Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) refers to impaired growth and development of the fetus, characterized by placental morphological abnormalities that affect the fetus's supply of nutrients. Human leukocyte antigen‐G (HLA‐G) is physiologically expressed during pregnancy, but decreased in normal placenta during the last weeks of gestation possibly inducing childbirth. Several viruses involved in congenital infection, such as herpesviruses, exploit HLA‐G expression as an immune‐escape mechanism. To date, despite different congenital herpetic infections having been associated with late IUGR, no direct implication of Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV‐6) infection has been reported. We evaluated HLA‐G expression and HHV‐6 infection in 11 placentas from late‐onset IUGR newborns and 11 placentas from uncomplicated pregnancies by histopathological and immunohistochemistry analysis. We found higher levels of HLA‐G expression and HHV‐6 presence in IUGR placenta samples compared with control placenta samples. We report HHV‐6 staining in IUGR placenta samples, characterized by high HLA‐G expression. These preliminary data suggest a possible involvement of HHV‐6 infection in HLA‐G deregulation that might affect vessel remodeling and prevent the correct pregnancy outcome in the IUGR condition.
Phylogenetic analysis of VP7 and VP4 genes of the most predominant human group A rotavirus G12 identified in children with acute gastroenteritis in Himachal Pradesh, India during 2013–2016
Authors: Gupta Shipra , Gauhar Mariyam , Bubber Parvesh , Ray Pratima
Published: June 2021

G12 strains are now considered to be the sixth most prevalent human rotaviruses globally. India has introduced rotavirus vaccine Rotavac® into the national immunization program in 2016 and Himachal Pradesh (HP) is the first state to launch it. During epidemiological rotavirus surveillance in HP, predominance of G12 rotaviruses was observed. This study investigated the genetic variability and evolution of HP G12 strains (n = 15) associated with P‐genotypes P[6], P[4], and P[8] identified between 2013 and 2016. Phylogenetic analysis of VP7 gene revealed that all characterized G12 strains clustered in lineage‐III and diversified into three subclusters indicating that these strains may have originated from three different ancestral G12 strains. The comparative sequence analysis of HP strains with Rotavac® and Rotarix® vaccine strains revealed various amino acid substitutions in epitope regions of VP7 and VP4 proteins especially at the antibody neutralization sites. Only 12/29 VP7 epitope residues and 2/25 VP4 epitope residues were found to be conserved between HP rotavirus strains and vaccine strains. Both long and short electropherotypes were observed in G12P[4] strains, while a single long electropherotype was observed in G12P[6] strains. Children of ≤11 months were significantly infected with G12 rotaviruses. The frequency of vomiting episodes (≥5/day) was significantly higher in children infected with G12 rotavirus strains as compared to non‐G12 rotaviruses (p = 0.0405). Our study provides the comprehensive data on clinical characteristics and evolutionary pattern of the G12 rotavirus, the most prevalent strain in HP and emphasizes the need to monitor these strains for inclusion in future vaccine.
Soluble angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 is transiently elevated in COVID‐19 and correlates with specific inflammatory and endothelial markers
Authors: Lundström Annika , Ziegler Louise , Havervall Sebastian , Rudberg Ann‐Sofie , von Meijenfeldt Fien , Lisman Ton , Mackman Nigel , Sandén Per , Thålin Charlotte
Published: June 2021

The main entry receptor of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) is angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). SARS‐CoV‐2 interactions with ACE2 may increase ectodomain shedding but consequences for the renin‐angiotensin system and pathology in Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) remain unclear. We measured soluble ACE2 (sACE2) and sACE levels by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in 114 hospital‐treated COVID‐19 patients compared with 10 healthy controls; follow‐up samples after four months were analyzed for 58 patients. Associations between sACE2 respectively sACE and risk factors for severe COVID‐19, outcome, and inflammatory markers were investigated. Levels of sACE2 were higher in COVID‐19 patients than in healthy controls, median 5.0 (interquartile range 2.8–11.8) ng/ml versus 1.4 (1.1–1.6) ng/ml, p < .0001. sACE2 was higher in men than women but was not affected by other risk factors for severe COVID‐19. sACE2 decreased to 2.3 (1.6–3.9) ng/ml at follow‐up, p < .0001, but remained higher than in healthy controls, p = .012. sACE was marginally lower during COVID‐19 compared with at follow‐up, 57 (45–70) ng/ml versus 72 (52–87) ng/ml, p = .008. Levels of sACE2 and sACE did not differ depending on survival or disease severity. sACE2 during COVID‐19 correlated with von Willebrand factor, factor VIII and
D‐dimer, while sACE correlated with interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor α, and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1. Conclusions: sACE2 was transiently elevated in COVID‐19, likely due to increased shedding from infected cells. sACE2 and sACE during COVID‐19 differed in correlations with markers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, suggesting release from different cell types and/or vascular beds.
Prenatal androgen influences on the brain: A review, critique, and illustration of research on congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Authors: Beltz Adriene M. , Demidenko Michael I. , Wilson Stephen J. , Berenbaum Sheri A.
Published: June 2021

Sex hormones, especially androgens, contribute to sex and gender differences in the brain and behavior. Organizational effects are particularly important because they are thought to be permanent, reflecting hormone exposure during sensitive periods of development. In human beings, they are often studied with natural experiments in which sex hormones are dissociated from other biopsychosocial aspects of development, such as genes and experiences. Indeed, the greatest evidence for organizational effects on sex differences in human behavior comes from studies of females with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), who have heightened prenatal androgen exposure, female‐typical rearing, and masculinized toy play, activity and career interests, spatial skills, and some personal characteristics. Interestingly, however, neuroimaging studies of females with CAH have revealed few neural mechanisms underlying these hormone‐behavior links, with the exception of emotion processing; studies have instead shown reduced gray matter volumes and reduced white matter integrity most consistent with other disease‐related processes. The goals of this narrative review are to: (a) describe methods for studying prenatal androgen influences, while offering a brief overview of behavioral outcomes; (b) provide a critical methodological review of neuroimaging research on females with CAH; (c) present an illustrative analysis that overcomes methodological limitations of previous work, focusing on person‐specific neural reward networks (and their associations with sensation seeking) in women with CAH and their unaffected sisters in order to inform future research questions and approaches that are most likely to reveal organizational hormone effects on brain structure and function.
Describing heart rate variability in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation during hospitalization for COVID‐19
Authors: Junarta Joey , Riley Joshua M. , Pavri Behzad B.
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Myriad cardiovascular manifestations have been reported with COVID‐19. We previously reported that failure of PR interval shortening with increasing heart rate (HR) in patients with COVID‐19 is associated with adverse outcomes. Here, we report on heart rate variability (HRV) and clinical outcomes in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation (cAF) hospitalized for COVID‐19.

Methods

A retrospective review of admitted COVID‐19 patients with cAF between 1 March 2020 to 30 June 2020 was performed. HRV in cAF was compared during pre‐COVID‐19 and COVID‐19 admissions; we selected pre‐COVID‐19 ECGs with HRs that were within 10 beats per minute of the COVID‐19 ECGs. Mean HR and each RR interval were recorded. Time‐domain measurements of HR variability were then calculated (SDSD, RMSSD, pNN50). Clinical outcomes during COVID‐19 were correlated to indices of HRV.

Results

A total of 184 ECGs (95 pre‐COVID‐19, 89 COVID‐19) from 38 cAF in‐patients were included. Mean age 78.6 ± 11.4 years, male 44.7%. The mean number of ECGs analyzed per patient pre‐COVID‐19 was 2.50 and during COVID‐19 was 2.34. Comparing pre‐COVID‐19 versus COVID‐19 ECGs showed: mean HR (95.9 ± 24.3 vs. 101.6 ± 22.8 BPM; P = .10), SDSD (109.0 ± 50.6 vs. 90.3 ± 37.2 ms; P < .01), RMSSD (184.1 ± 80.4 vs. 147.3 ± 59.8 ms; P < .01), pNN50 (73.8 ± 16.3 vs. 65.6 ± 16.6%; P < .01). Patients who had a smaller pNN50 during a COVID‐19 admission had increased mortality (50.0% vs. 14.3%; log‐rank test P = .02).

Conclusion

In patients with cAF, the HRV was reduced during COVID‐19 compared with prior illnesses at similar average heart rates. Patients with the most depressed HRV as measured by pNN50 had an associated increase in mortality compared with patients whose HRV was preserved.
Advances in applying Raman spectroscopy to the study of enzyme mechanisms
Authors: Carey Paul , Pusztai‐Carey Marianne
Published: June 2021

This review sets out the progress over the past 50 years, mostly in the authors' laboratory, for Raman spectroscopy in defining the precise chemical changes driving enzyme‐mediated catalysis. The spectroscopy has been enabled by advances in computer, laser and optical technologies. Derek Long's generation (including the authors of this review) has been privileged to experience many of these changes. Here, we show how Raman can define individual molecular populations at work inside bacterial cells. In addition, several satellites have spun off the main theme. These include rapid reaction applications, drug screening, and RNA‐based enzymes. These are discussed briefly, and the reader can explore the details using the references given.
Laser‐induced annealing of aged PuO2
Authors: Villa‐Aleman Eliel , Dick Don D. , Christian Jonathan H. , Foley Bryan J.
Published: June 2021

Plutonium dioxide (PuO2) is an important compound used in nuclear fuel, irradiation targets, and heat sources. As such, improved understanding of its structural and spectroscopic properties has numerous applications. Alpha particle‐induced damage of a PuO2 crystal lattice modifies several properties of its Raman spectrum, including band intensities, positions, and widths. The decay also induces growth of new bands and creates electron‐trapped defects with luminescent properties. Herein, we show for the first time that laser‐induced heating can reverse damage to an aged and damaged PuO2 lattice. Using automated instrumentation to heat a single 6–10 μm spot to temperatures above 1,300°C, we show that laser‐induced annealing of aged PuO2 results in restoration of T2g band intensity with a concomitant decrease in defect band intensity, a result that indicates laser annealing can be used to reverse age‐damage in PuO2. This laser annealing approach permitted in situ observation of temperature‐dependent Raman spectral changes, thereby providing insight into the thermodynamics of structural alterations in a radiolytically damaged PuO2.
Water content, critical micelle concentration of phospholipids and formation of association colloids as factors influencing autoxidation of rapeseed oil
Authors: Bąkowska Ewa , Siger Aleksander , Rudzińska Magdalena , Dwiecki Krzysztof
Published: June 2021

BACKGROUND

The exact mechanism of lipid autoxidation in vegetable oils, taking into account physical aspects of this phenomenon, including the role of association colloids, is still not fully understood. The purpose of this study was to consider changes in moisture content and DOPC phospholipid (1,2‐dioleoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine) critical micelle concentration (CMC) in rapeseed oil during autoxidation as well as to find the relationship between these parameters and the accumulation of primary and secondary lipid oxidation products.

RESULTS

The experiments were performed at initial oil humidity 220 ppm and 700 ppm, with DOPC below and above CMC. The increase in water concentration was favored by the presence of phospholipids above CMC and, at the same time, high initial water level, which favored oxidation processes and the creation of amphiphilic autoxidation products. At relatively high water level and low amphiphilic DOPC concentration, the growth of water content does not affect the concentration of oxidation products.

CONCLUSION

Amphiphilic substances play a significant role in increasing the water content of oil. Autoxidation products may reduce CMC of DOPC, but water is able to compensate for the CMC‐reducing effect of oxidation products. The presence of association colloids and initial water content play a crucial role in the oxidation process of rapeseed oil. The increase in water concentration does not cause a sufficiently large increase in the number of micelles or sufficiently significant changes in their structure to effect an increase in the level of oxidation products. The formation of micelles requires an appropriate content of both water and amphiphilic substances derived from seeds (phospholipids). © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
RAFT Synthesis of Reactive Multifunctional Triblock‐Copolymers for Polyplex Formation
Authors: Ritt Nicolas , Ayaou Amal , Zentel Rudolf
Published: June 2021

Reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization with a low‐temperature initiator can be used to synthesize multifunctional block copolymers for polyplex formation. Utilizing three methacrylate monomers (triethylene glycol methyl ether methacrylate (MEO3MA), pyridyldisulfideethyl methacrylate (PDSM), N,N‐dimethylethylenediamine methacrylate (DMAEMA)) and an azide bearing chain transfer agent for polymerization, the resulting triblock‐copolymers possess two orthogonally reactive functionalities (a block with reactive disulfide side chains and an azide end‐group) and two additional functional blocks for i) solubilization and ii) polyplex formation. Thereby, the MEO3MA block provides solubility in aqueous media and the DMAEMA block, having a tertiary amine in the side chain, allows polyplex formation with polyanionic biomacromolecules like DNA or RNA. Due to the reactive disulfide block the polyplexes can be (reversibly) crosslinked with dithiols. Because of the manifold of possibilities to modify the pDNApolyplexes, this polymers system is an interesting candidate for active‐targeting and codelivery approaches.
Fast 3D Digital Light Process Printing of PVDF‐HFP Composite with Electric In Situ Poling System for Piezoelectric Applications
Authors: Song Hoseong , Li Hai , Lim Sooman
Published: June 2021

3D printing systems are being used more and more due to the combination of energy materials, such as combinations of polyvinylidene fluoride‐co‐hexafluoropropylene (PVDF‐HFP) composites, that has become possible recently. However, to obtain strong piezoelectric properties, the poling step where a high voltage is applied to a part for a long period of time is indispensable due to the nature of the material. This inconvenience is the largest obstacle to widespread acceptance of this technology so, from an industrial perspective, tackling this issue is vital. In this paper, the authors build an in situ poling system suitable for PVDF‐HFP composites into a digital light processing (DLP) printing system that is able to greatly shorten poling times while improving the piezoelectric properties of the resulting materials. This approach achieves a ten times reduction in the total process time needed to produce piezoelectric films with a piezoelectric coefficient of 42 pC N−1 when compared to the typical time needed to complete a post‐poling process that gives similar piezoelectric properties. In addition, a piezoelectric device printed using the authors' approach reveals its great potential for producing large‐area flexible sensors with high sensitivity (R2 = 0.99) and excellent mechanical durability (10 000 cycles).
Ionic Conductivity Study of Ethylene Carbonate as A Plasticizer in Alginate Bio‐Based Polymer Electrolytes
Authors: Faizrin Fuzlin Ahmad , Nagao Yuki , Samsudin Ahmad Salihin
Published: June 2021

In this present work, the study of ionic conductivity based on bio‐based polymer electrolytes (BBPEs) containing with alginate doped glycolic acid (GA) and plasticized with ethylene carbonate (EC) is presented. The ionic conductivity of present work is determined through impedance spectroscopy over a frequency range from 50 Hz to 1 MHz.  The addition of EC has improved the Cole‐Cole plot for entire samples where it revealed the combination of CPE and bulk resistant in series for their electrical equivalent circuit. It is shown that the ionic conductivity increased from 10−5 to 10−4 S cm−1 upon addition of plasticizer into BBPEs system with the optimum conductivity is obtained at 9.06  ×  10−4 S cm−1 for sample containing 6 wt.% of EC. The findings show that the present system has great potential to be used in application of polymer electrolytes system.
Cascade‐based Multimodal Biometric Recognition System with Fingerprint and Face
Authors: Tomar Peeyush , Singh Ram C.
Published: June 2021

In recent years, biometrics has played a vital role in protecting users' privacy and enabling secure authentication. Multimodal security, comprised of identity cards with attached unique passwords, is used to authenticate the genuine or imposter person; however, it is not a perfect security framework. Biometric traits are unique to every individual and hence proved to be very secure. This paper proposes a hybrid approach by combining cascaded and fusion‐based multimodal biometric framework using fingerprint and face traits. The fingerprint and face features are extracted using the minutiae feature extraction algorithm and principal component analysis (PCA) algorithm. The hybrid approach is applied to a self ‐built database of around 450 fingerprints and 450 face images. The performance of the proposed hybrid system is determined using False Acceptance Rate (FAR), False Rejection Rate (FRR), Equal Error Rate (EER), and Accuracy evaluation parameters. The unimodal system of fingerprint and face at Level I and Level II yields an accuracy of 100% at a threshold value of 0.42 and 0.54, respectively. The multimodal system at Level III delivers an accuracy rate of 93.70%, 99.20%, 97.85%, and 99.50% at a threshold value of 0.75, 0.60, 0.30, and 0.60 in sum level fusion, product level fusion, min level fusion, and max level fusion schemes, respectively.
Coherence Measurement at Different Spatial Points Across High Harmonic Generation Source using Different Spatial Filter
Authors: Aziz Nor Azah Abdul , Tarmizi Emma Ziezie Mohd , Mansor Ya'akob
Published: June 2021

A high spatial coherence of phase‐matched high harmonic generation beam is produced from 30 fs pulses of a Ti:Sapphire laser in 55 Torr argon gas. A harmonic series up to 33rd order is obtained, and a spectrometer is used to measure the source spectrum that peaks at a wavelength of 30 nm. The spatial coherence of this source across spatial position of the beam profile for different choice of spatial filters are investigated by means of Young's double slit experiment. A circular aperture is used as spatial filter with a choice of 2 mm aperture, 100 and 200 µm pinholes, which is placed before the double slit. The interference data of 20 and 50 µm slit separations are recorded, and the results show that these measurements demonstrate good fringe visibility and high spatial coherence. High coherence sources in small scale extreme‐ultraviolet/soft X‐ray radiation are useful for applications in imaging and microscopy. Hence, the evaluation of the fringe visibility is required to characterize the spatial coherence of the source before use in imaging and microscopy application.