bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of separation performance of absorption column and membrane contactor system for biohydrogen upgraded from palm oil mill effluent fermentation
Authors: Rohani Rosiah , Yusoff Izzati Izni , Amran Nur Fatinah Ainaa , Naim Rosmawati , Takriff Mohd Sobri
Published: December 2020

Treatment of palm oil mill effluent (POME) via fermentation under controlled conditions can produce a high‐value biohydrogen (H2) mixture containing carbon dioxide (CO2). This H2 can be enriched before it can be used for renewable energy, that is, in fuel cell. In this work, H2 was upgraded via two techniques, namely absorption column and membrane contactor system. Ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH), potassium hydroxide (KOH), and mixed solution of NH4OH and KOH were used as the chemical absorbents for both techniques. In the absorption column, it was found that the mixed solution provided the highest H2 purity (99%) at 1 M concentration with a gas flow rate of 0.2 L/min. Meanwhile, the mixed solution and KOH solution showed similar separation performance with H2 purity of up to 75% in the gas–liquid membrane contactor. On investigating the separation performance for each of the compared techniques, it was found that the absorption column has a superior ability to purify H2 than the membrane contactor system. However, the membrane contactor is more sustainable as it has the least drop in H2 purity at a longer separation time during the separation process. Both techniques have their own advantages in purifying H2, and thus they can be fairly considered for gas upgrading.
Rapid tidal marsh development in anthropogenic backwaters
Authors: Yellen Brian , Woodruff Jonathan , Ladlow Caroline , Ralston David K. , Fernald Sarah , Lau Waverly
Published: December 2020

Tidal marsh restoration and creation is growing in popularity due to the many and diverse sets of services these important ecosystems provide. However, it is unclear what conditions within constructed settings will lead to the successful establishment of tidal marsh. Here we provide documentation for widespread and rapid development of tidal freshwater wetlands for a major urban estuary as an unintended result of early industrial development. Anthropogenic backwater areas established behind railroad berms, jetties, and dredge spoil islands resulted in the rapid accumulation of clastic material and the subsequent initiation of emergent marshes. In one case, historical aerial photos document this transition occurring in less than 18 years, offering a timeframe for marsh development. Accretion rates for anthropogenic tidal marshes and mudflats average 0.8–1.1 and 0.6–0.7 cm year−1, respectively, equivalent to two to three times the rate of relative sea level rise as well as the observed accretion rate at a 6000+ year‐old reference marsh in the study area. Paired historical and geospatial analysis revealed that more than half of all the tidal wetlands on the Hudson River were likely triggered by anthropogenic development since the onset of the industrial era, including two‐thirds of the emergent cattail marsh. These inadvertently constructed tidal wetlands currently trap roughly 6% of the Hudson River's sediment load. Results indicate that when sediment is readily available, freshwater tidal wetlands can develop relatively rapidly in sheltered settings. The study sites serve as useful examples to help guide future tidal marsh creation and restoration efforts.
Effect of Fermentation on Nutritional Quality, Growth and Hematological Parameters of Rats Fed Sorghum‐Soybean‐Orange flesh Sweet Potato Complementary Diet
Authors: Adejuwon Kikelomo P. , Osundahunsi Oluwatooyin F. , Akinola Stephen A. , Oluwamukomi Matthew O. , Mwanza Mulunda
Published: December 2020

The protein quality of complementary foods developed from fermented and unfermented sorghum, soybeans, and orange‐fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) flour blends was evaluated using rat model. The test diet was as follows: UF2: unfermented sorghum (56%), soybean (17%), and OFSP (27%); UF3: unfermented sorghum (59%), soybean (31%), and OFSP (10%); F2: fermented sorghum (56%), soybean (17%), and OFSP (27%); and F3: fermented sorghum (59%), soybean (31%), and OFSP (10%), while cerelac served as positive control, corn starch (basal diet), and ogi (negative control). Forty‐nine Wistar albino rats were grouped and fed with diets for 28 days. The growth, hematological, serum parameters of animals, protein quality, and proximate composition of developed diet were determined. Fermentation significantly improved the protein content and nutritional indices of experimental animals. Moisture content ranged from 2.5% to 9.24%, protein (7.09%–25.29%), ash (1.09%–3.71%), fat (10.28%–15.24%), and fiber (0.85%–3.17%). The biological values (BV) ranged from 75.11% to 78.44%. The weight gained in rat fed the formulated diet ranged from 46.0 g to 77.3 g and was highest in F3. The packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin concentration (HBC), red blood cell (RBC), and lymphocytes were highest in F3. Urea nitrogen and creatinine of the rats fed with formulated diets ranged from 3.58 to 15.32 mg/dl and 1.56 to 6.15 mg/dl, respectively. Sample F3 is a protein‐rich complementary food that is comparable to ogi and suitable to manage malnutrition and support growth in children. However, clinical trials on the formulated diet are needed to further substantiate its nutritional potentials.
Pediatric fibromyxoid soft tissue tumor with PLAG1 fusion: A novel entity?
Authors: Chung Catherine T. , Antonescu Cristina R. , Dickson Brendan C. , Chami Rose , Marrano Paula , Fan Rong , Shago Mary , Hameed Meera , Thorner Paul S.
Published: December 2020

The classification of undifferentiated soft tissue tumors continues to evolve with the expanded application of molecular analysis in clinical practice. We report three cases of a unique soft tissue tumor in young children (5 months to 2 years old) displaying a purely fibromyxoid histology, with positive staining for desmin and CD34. In two cases, RNA sequencing detected a YWHAZ‐PLAG1 gene fusion, while in the third case, a previously unreported EEF1A1‐PLAG1 fusion was identified. PLAG1 fusions have been reported in several pathologic entities including pleomorphic adenoma, myoepithelial tumors of skin and soft tissue, and lipoblastoma, the latter occurring preferentially in young children. In these tumors, expression of a full length PLAG1 protein comes under the control of the constitutively active promoter of the partner gene in the fusion, and the current cases conform to that model. Overexpression of PLAG1 was confirmed by diffusely positive immunostaining for PLAG1 in all three cases. Our findings raise the possibility of a novel fibromyxoid neoplasm in childhood associated with these rare PLAG1 fusion variants. The only other report of a PLAG1‐YWHAZ fusion occurred in a pediatric tumor diagnosed as a “fibroblastic lipoblastoma.” This finding raises the possibility of a relationship with our three cases, even though our cases lacked any fat component. Further studies with regard to a shared pathogenesis are required.
Dynamic functional networks in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus: Alterations and reversibility byCSFtap test
Authors: Griffa Alessandra , Bommarito Giulia , Assal Frédéric , Herrmann François R. , Van De Ville Dimitri , Allali Gilles
Published: December 2020

Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (iNPH)—the leading cause of reversible dementia in aging—is characterized by ventriculomegaly and gait, cognitive and urinary impairments. Despite its high prevalence estimated at 6% among the elderlies, iNPH remains underdiagnosed and undertreated due to the lack of iNPH‐specific diagnostic markers and limited understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms. INPH diagnosis is also complicated by the frequent occurrence of comorbidities, the most common one being Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here we investigate the resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging dynamics of 26 iNPH patients before and after a CSF tap test, and of 48 normal older adults. Alzheimer's pathology was evaluated by CSF biomarkers. We show that the interactions between the default mode, and the executive‐control, salience and attention networks are impaired in iNPH, explain gait and executive disturbances in patients, and are not driven by AD‐pathology. In particular, AD molecular biomarkers are associated with functional changes distinct from iNPH functional alterations. Finally, we demonstrate a partial normalization of brain dynamics 24 hr after a CSF tap test, indicating functional plasticity mechanisms. We conclude that functional changes involving the default mode cross‐network interactions reflect iNPH pathophysiological mechanisms and track treatment response, possibly contributing to iNPH differential diagnosis and better clinical management.
Activation of ventral CA1 hippocampal neurons projecting to the lateral septum during feeding
Authors: Kosugi Kenzo , Yoshida Keitaro , Suzuki Toru , Kobayashi Kenta , Yoshida Kazunari , Mimura Masaru , Tanaka Kenji F.
Published: December 2020

A number of studies have reported the involvement of the ventral hippocampus (vHip) and the lateral septum (LS) in negative emotional responses. Besides these well‐documented functions, they are also thought to control feeding behavior. In particular, optogenetic and pharmacogenetic interventions to LS‐projecting vHip neurons have demonstrated that the vHip→LS neural circuit exerts an inhibition on feeding behavior. However, there have been no reports of vHip neuronal activity during feeding. Here, we focused on LS‐projecting vCA1 neurons (vCA1→LS) and monitored their activity during feeding behaviors in mice. vCA1→LS neurons were retrogradely labeled with adeno‐associated virus carrying a ratiometric Ca2+ indicator and measured compound Ca2+ dynamics by fiber photometry. We first examined vCA1→LS activity in random food‐exploring behavior and found that vCA1→LS activation seemed to coincide with food intake; however, our ability to visually confirm this during freely moving behaviors was not sufficiently reliable. We next examined vCA1→LS activity in a goal‐directed, food‐seeking lever‐press task which temporally divided the mouse state into preparatory, effort, and consummatory phases. We observed vCA1→LS activation in the postprandial period during the consummatory phase. Such timing‐ and pathway‐specific activation was not observed from pan‐vCA1 neurons. In contrast, reward omission eliminated this activity, indicating that vCA1→LS activation is contingent on the food reward. Sated mice pressed the lever significantly fewer times but still ate food; however, vCA1→LS neurons were not activated, suggesting that vCA1→LS neurons did not respond to habitual behavior. Combined, these results suggest that gastrointestinal interoception rather than food‐intake motions or external sensations are likely to coincide with vCA1→LS activity. Accordingly, we propose that vCA1→LS neurons discriminate between matched or unmatched predictive bodily states in which incoming food will satisfy an appetite. We also demonstrate that vCA1→LS neurons are activated in aversive/anxious situations in an elevated plus maze and tail suspension test. Future behavioral tests utilizing anxious conflict and food intake may reconcile the multiple functions of vCA1→LS neurons.
Groundwater depletion in northern India: Impacts of the sub‐regional anthropogenic land‐use, socio‐politics and changing climate
Authors: Panda Dileep Kumar , Ambast Sunil Kumar , Shamsudduha Mohammad
Published: December 2020

Understanding the key drivers behind intensive use of groundwater resources and subsequent depletion in northern India is important for future food security of India. Although spatio‐temporal changes of groundwater storage (GWS) and its depletion in northern India are mapped using the NASA's GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) records, the sub‐regional diverse socio‐political and environmental factors contributing to the variability in groundwater withdrawals and renewals are not well documented. Here, we provide new evidence on changes in GWS at different spatial scales using both observations and satellite‐based measurements applying both parametric and non‐parametric statistical analyses. The substantial loss of GWS has occurred since the beginning of the 21st century, and the decline in GWS is associated with some record‐breaking dry and hot climate events. We present how certain state‐based policy decisions, such as supplying free electricity for irrigation, prompted farmers to extract groundwater unsustainably and thus led to widespread GWS deletion, which has been also accelerated by frequent dryness and rising temperatures. In the hotspot of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi of northern India, the extracted groundwater during 1985–2013 is equivalent to a metre‐high layer if spread uniformly across its geographical domain. We find that the groundwater storage loss in northern India has increased rapidly from 17 km3 to 189 km3 between the pre‐2002 and 2002–2013 periods. This loss in northern India is, therefore, an excellent example of rapid surface greening and sub‐surface drying—a result of an interplay of socio‐political and environmental factors. As groundwater continues to be treated as a common natural resource and no clear definition exists to guide policymaking, this study also illustrates how the administrative district level approach can solve the widespread problem of depletion.
Tree water deficit and dynamic source water partitioning
Authors: Nehemy Magali F. , Benettin Paolo , Asadollahi Mitra , Pratt Dyan , Rinaldo Andrea , McDonnell Jeffrey J.
Published: December 2020

The stable isotopes of hydrogen and oxygen (δ2H and δ18O, respectively) have been widely used to investigate tree water source partitioning. These tracers have shed new light on patterns of tree water use in time and space. However, there are several limiting factors to this methodology (e.g., the difficult assessment of isotope fractionation in trees, and the labor‐intensity associated with the collection of significant sample sizes) and the use of isotopes alone has not been enough to provide a mechanistic understanding of source water partitioning. Here, we combine isotope data in xylem and soil water with measurements of tree's physiological information including tree water deficit (TWD), fine root distribution, and soil matric potential, to investigate the mechanism driving tree water source partitioning. We used a 2 m3 lysimeter with willow trees (Salix viminalis) planted within, to conduct a high spatial–temporal resolution experiment. TWD provided an integrated response of plant water status to water supply and demand. The combined isotopic and TWD measurement showed that short‐term variation (within days) in source water partitioning is determined mainly by plant hydraulic response to changes in soil matric potential. We observed changes in the relationship between soil matric potential and TWD that are matched by shifts in source water partitioning. Our results show that tree water use is a dynamic process on the time scale of days. These findings demonstrate tree's plasticity to water supply over days can be identified with high‐resolution measurements of plant water status. Our results further support that root distribution alone is not an indicator of water uptake dynamics. Overall, we show that combining physiological measurements with traditional isotope tracing can reveal mechanistic insights into plant responses to changing environmental conditions.
Prevalence of postpartum dyspareunia: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Banaei Mojdeh , Kariman Nourossadat , Ozgoli Giti , Nasiri Maliheh , Ghasemi Vida , Khiabani Azam , Dashti Sareh , Mohamadkhani Shahri Leila
Published: December 2020

Background

Dyspareunia is one of the most common postpartum sexual dysfunctions.

Objective

To estimate the prevalence of postpartum dyspareunia.

Search strategy

Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Embase databases were searched to July 2019 using keywords including ‘perineal pain,’ ‘dyspareunia,’ and ‘sexual pain’.

Selection criteria

Observational studies on the prevalence of postpartum dyspareunia were included.

Data collection and analysis

Two authors independently reviewed articles and extracted data. Study heterogeneity was evaluated by I2 index; publication bias by Egger and Begg tests.

Main results

Twenty‐two studies enrolling 11 457 women were included. Based on meta‐analysis, the overall estimated prevalence of dyspareunia was 35% (95% confidence interval [CI], 29%–41%). The prevalence was 42% (95% CI, 26%–60%) at 2 months, 43% (95% CI, 36%–50%) at 2–6 months, and 22% (95% CI, 15%–29%) at 6–12 months postpartum. Begg test showed no significant bias in data related to the prevalence of postpartum dyspareunia (p = 0.466).

Conclusion

The prevalence of postpartum dyspareunia was 35% and decreased with increasing postpartum duration. Given the high prevalence and its impact on a woman's quality of life, special attention should be paid to this common complaint during the postpartum period.
Development for water, food, and nutrition security in a competitive environment—An Asian perspective*
Authors: Panella Thomas
Published: December 2020

The theme of the Third World Irrigation Forum “Development for water, food, and nutrition in a competitive environment” is highly relevant for Asia. Strong economic growth and an increasing population resulted in an unprecedented pressure on water resources. The first sub‐theme “Enabling policy environment for water, food, and energy security” aligns well with the Asian Development Bank's (ADB) Strategy 2030 which recognizes the water‐food‐energy nexus as critical. Asia is a hotspot of water insecurity, and cognizant of this the ADB has developed the Asian Water Development Outlook which focuses on water security. The newest edition, currently under development, expands the outlook to include actionable indicators. Water productivity should improve significantly to meet future challenges; the ADB is a pioneer in using remote sensing‐based water productivity measurements in irrigation systems for guiding and monitoring investments. Circular water use in closed systems would be an alternative as well. Operation and maintenance of irrigation and drainage systems is crucial for sustainability, the ADB uses innovative financing to address this. Feminization of agriculture occurs in many member countries and increasingly projects focus on gender and equality. Recently, the first project among irrigation projects categorized as gender equality has been developed for Tajikistan.
Knockdown of lncRNA TTTY15 alleviates myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury through the miR‐374a‐5p/FOXO1 axis
Authors: Chen Yong‐Quan , Yang Xin , Xu Wei , Yan Yi , Chen Xi‐Ming , Huang Zhao‐Qi
Published: December 2020

Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury greatly contributes to myocardial tissue damage in patients with coronary disease, which eventually leads to heart failure. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have an emerging role in the process of myocardial I/R injury. Our previous work revealed the protective role of miR‐374a‐5p against myocardial I/R injury. In this study, we explored the role of lncRNA TTTY15 and its potential interaction mechanisms with miR‐374a‐5p in myocardial I/R injury. The expression of TTTY15 was increased both in vitro and in vivo after myocardial I/R injury models according to quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Various assays were conducted to evaluate the regulatory relationship among TTTY15, miR‐374a‐5p, FOXO1, and autophagy in H9c2 and HL‐1 cells. The results showed that TTTY15 suppresses autophagy and myocardial I/R injury by targeting miR‐374a‐5p. We found that TTTY15 regulates miR‐374a‐5p, thus affecting FOXO1 expression and autophagy in myocytes during I/R. Furthermore, in an in vivo mouse model of myocardial I/R injury, suppression of TTTY15 successfully alleviated myocardial I/R injury. Our results reveal a novel feedback mechanism in which TTTY15 regulates miRNA processing and a potential target in myocardial I/R injury. TTTY15 is a promising therapeutic target for treating myocardial I/R injury.
Maple syrup urine disease: Clinical outcomes, metabolic control, and genotypes in a screened population after four decades of newborn bloodspot screening in the Republic of Ireland
Authors: O'Reilly Daniel , Crushell Ellen , Hughes Joanne , Ryan Stephanie , Rogers Yvonne , Borovickova Ingrid , Mayne Philip , Riordan Michael , Awan Atif , Carson Kevin , Hunter Kim , Lynch Bryan , Shahwan Amre , Rüfenacht Véronique , Häberle Johannes , Treacy Eileen P. , Monavari Ahmad A. , Knerr Ina
Published: December 2020

Since 1972, 18 patients (10 females/8 males) have been detected by newborn bloodspot screening (NBS) with neonatal‐onset maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) in Ireland. Patients were stratified into three clusters according to clinical outcome at the time of data collection, including developmental, clinical, and IQ data. A fourth cluster comprised of two early childhood deaths; a third patient died as an adult. We present neuroimaging and electroencephalography together with clinical and biochemical data. Incidence of MSUD (1972‐2018) was 1 in 147 975. Overall good clinical outcomes were achieved with 15/18 patients alive and with essentially normal functioning (with only the lowest performing cluster lying beyond a single SD on their full scale intelligence quotient). Molecular genetic analysis revealed genotypes hitherto not reported, including a possible digenic inheritance state for the BCKDHA and DBT genes in one family. Treatment has been based on early implementation of emergency treatment, diet, close monitoring, and even dialysis in the setting of acute metabolic decompensation. A plasma leucine ≥400 μmol/L (outside therapeutic range) was more frequently observed in infancy or during adolescence, possibly due to infections, hormonal changes, or noncompliance. Children require careful management during metabolic decompensations in early childhood, and this represented a key risk period in our cohort. A high level of metabolic control can be achieved through diet with early implementation of a “sick day” regime and, in some cases, dialysis as a rescue therapy. The Irish cohort, despite largely classical phenotypes, achieved good outcomes in the NBS era, underlining the importance of early diagnosis and skilled multidisciplinary team management.
Cystathionine β‐synthase deficiency in the E‐HOD registry‐part I: pyridoxine responsiveness as a determinant of biochemical and clinical phenotype at diagnosis
Authors: Kožich Viktor , Sokolová Jitka , Morris Andrew A. M. , Pavlíková Markéta , Gleich Florian , Kölker Stefan , Krijt Jakub , Dionisi‐Vici Carlo , Baumgartner Matthias R. , Blom Henk J. , Huemer Martina ,   E‐HOD consortium
Published: December 2020

Cystathionine β‐synthase (CBS) deficiency has a wide clinical spectrum, ranging from neurodevelopmental problems, lens dislocation and marfanoid features in early childhood to adult onset disease with predominantly thromboembolic complications. We have analysed clinical and laboratory data at the time of diagnosis in 328 patients with CBS deficiency from the E‐HOD (European network and registry for Homocystinurias and methylation Defects) registry. We developed comprehensive criteria to classify patients into four groups of pyridoxine responsivity: non‐responders (NR), partial, full and extreme responders (PR, FR and ER, respectively). All groups showed overlapping concentrations of plasma total homocysteine while pyridoxine responsiveness inversely correlated with plasma/serum methionine concentrations. The FR and ER groups had a later age of onset and diagnosis and a longer diagnostic delay than NR and PR patients. Lens dislocation was common in all groups except ER but the age of dislocation increased with increasing responsiveness. Developmental delay was commonest in the NR group while no ER patient had cognitive impairment. Thromboembolism was the commonest presenting feature in ER patients, whereas it was least likely at presentation in the NR group. This probably is due to the differences in ages at presentation: all groups had a similar number of thromboembolic events per 1000 patient‐years. Clinical severity of CBS deficiency depends on the degree of pyridoxine responsiveness. Therefore, a standardised pyridoxine‐responsiveness test in newly diagnosed patients and a critical review of previous assessments is indispensable to ensure adequate therapy and to prevent or reduce long‐term complications.
A case of Crimean‐Congo hemorrhagic fever with the bacteremia of Clostridium perfringens
Authors: Izcı Feyza , Ture Zeynep , Sagiroglu Pınar , Temel Sahın , Yildiz Orhan
Published: December 2020

Crimean‐Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a worldwide tick‐borne viral infection in humans. The aim of the study is to report a case of a female patient with severe CCHF with the bacteremia of Clostridium perfringens. An 18‐year‐old woman admitted to the emergency department with sudden onset of fever, nausea and vomiting, myalgia, headache, generalized abdominal pain. It was learned that the patient was living in a rural area and had a history of tick bite 3 days before the admission. At laboratory examination, bicytopenia, abnormal liver function tests, and abnormal coagulation parameters were observed. The diagnosis of the case was confirmed with a positive real‐time polymerase chain reaction. On the third day of hospitalization, she had an increase in abdominal pain, confusion, and respiratory distress. She was transferred to the intensive care unit for close monitoring. On the fifth day of hospitalization, she developed fever again. Catheter and peripheral anaerobic blood cultures grew C. perfringens. No evidence of perforation was observed on abdominal tomography. It has been successfully treated with a multidisciplinary approach. CCHF demonstrates different types of clinical presentations, except for common symptoms of fever and hemorrhage. A case of CCHF with C. perfringens bacteremia has not been previously reported before.
Understanding the pathophysiological changes via untargeted metabolomics in COVID‐19 patients
Authors: Doğan Halef O. , Şenol Onur , Bolat Serkan , Yıldız Şeyma N. , Büyüktuna Seyit A. , Sarıismailoğlu Rağıp , Doğan Kübra , Hasbek Mürşit , Hekim Süleyman N.
Published: December 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is an infectious respiratory disease caused by a new strain of the coronavirus. There is limited data on the pathogenesis and the cellular responses of COVID‐19. In this study, we aimed to determine the variation of metabolites between healthy control and COVID‐19 via the untargeted metabolomics method. Serum samples were obtained from 44 COVID‐19 patients and 41 healthy controls. Untargeted metabolomics analyses were performed by the LC/Q‐TOF/MS (liquid chromatography quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry) method. Data acquisition, classification, and identification were achieved by the METLIN database and XCMS. Significant differences were determined between patients and healthy controls in terms of purine, glutamine, leukotriene D4 (LTD4), and glutathione metabolisms. Downregulations were determined in R‐S lactoglutathione and glutamine. Upregulations were detected in hypoxanthine, inosine, and LTD4. Identified metabolites indicate roles for purine, glutamine, LTD4, and glutathione metabolisms in the pathogenesis of the COVID‐19. The use of selective leukotriene D4 receptor antagonists, targeting purinergic signaling as a therapeutic approach and glutamine supplementation may decrease the severity and mortality of COVID‐19.
Conventional immunomarkers stain a fraction of astrocytes in vitro: A comparison of rat cortical and spinal cord astrocytes in naïve and stimulated cultures
Authors: Balouch Bailey , Funnell Jessica L. , Ziemba Alexis M. , Puhl Devan L. , Lin Kathy , Gottipati Manoj K. , Gilbert Ryan J.
Published: December 2020

Astrocytes are responsible for a wide variety of essential functions throughout the central nervous system. The protein markers glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), glutamate aspartate transporter (GLAST), glutamate transporter‐1 (GLT‐1), glutamine synthetase (GS), 10‐formyltetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase (ALDH1L1), and the transcription factor SOX9 are routinely used to label astrocytes in primary rodent cultures. However, GLAST, GLT‐1, GS, and SOX9 are also produced by microglia and oligodendrocytes and GFAP, GLAST, GLT‐1, and GS production levels are affected by astrocyte phenotypic changes associated with reactive astrogliosis. No group has performed a comprehensive immunocytochemical evaluation to quantify the percentage of cells labeled by these markers in vitro, nor compared changes in staining between cortex‐ and spinal cord‐derived cells in naïve and stimulated cultures. Here, we quantified the percentage of cells positively stained for these six markers in astrocyte, microglia, and oligodendrocyte cultures isolated from neonatal rat cortices and spinal cords. Additionally, we incubated the astrocytes with transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 or TGF‐β3 to determine if the labeling of these markers is altered by these stimuli. We found that only SOX9 in cortical cultures and ALDH1L1 in spinal cord cultures labeled more than 75% of the cells in naïve and stimulated astrocyte cultures and stained less than 5% of the cells in microglia and oligodendrocyte cultures. Furthermore, significantly more cortical than spinal cord astrocytes stained for GFAP, GLAST, and ALDH1L1 in naïve cultures, whereas significantly more spinal cord than cortical astrocytes stained for GLAST and GS in TGF‐β1‐treated cultures. These findings are important as variability in marker staining may lead to misinterpretation of the astrocyte response in cocultures, migration assays, or engineered disease models.
Silver ion‐doped calcium phosphate‐based bone‐graft substitute eliminates chronic osteomyelitis: An experimental study in animals
Authors: Köse Nusret , Asfuroğlu Zeynel M. , Köse Aydan , Şahintürk Varol , Gürbüz Mevlüt , Doğan Aydın
Published: December 2020

Despite the latest technologies and advances in microbiology and orthopedic surgery, chronic osteomyelitis is still a challenging disorder. Antibiotic resistance and bacterially induced bone destruction can have very serious consequences. We hypothesized that calcium phosphate‐based bone graft substitution with silver ion doping would simultaneously treat bone infection and the bony defect in the chronic osteomyelitis. An unicortical 10‐mm‐diameter bone was harvested in the proximal tibial metaphysis of 24 rabbits. After contaminating the wounds with an infective dose of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), osteomyelitis was proven radiographically and microbiologically in all rabbits. Animals were than divided into three groups. The first group received vancomycin‐impregnated bone cement beads (comparative control group), the second/experimental group received silver ion‐doped calcium phosphate beads and the third group received pure calcium phosphate beads (negative controls). Radiographs, intraosseous cultures, and histopathological examinations were performed on postoperative Week 10. The cultures showed no evidence of intramedullary infection in the silver ion‐doped calcium phosphate beads group, but they were positive for MRSA in four of the six rabbits in the vancomycin‐ impregnated bone cement beads group and in all of the eight rabbits in the pure calcium phosphate beads group. Quantitative assessment of histopathological examination showed lowest total damage score in silver ion‐doped calcium phosphate beads group (p < .001). Percentage of osteoid tissue + bony tissue was also higher in this group compared with other groups. In the final radiological examinations, it was observed that the changes caused by osteomyelitis in the bone tissue in the silver ion‐doped calcium phosphate beads group were much improved compared with the vancomycin‐impregnated bone cement beads group. Silver ion doped calcium phosphate‐based bone‐graft substitute offer the ability to stimulate bone growth, combat infection, and, ultimately, treat experimental chronic osteomyelitis in an animal model.
Gatifloxacin–Ionic Surfactant Interactions: Volumetric, Acoustic, Voltammetric, and Spectroscopic Studies
Authors: Sohail Muhammad , Rahman Hafiz Muhammad Abd Ur , Asghar Muhammad Nadeem
Published: December 2020

Surfactant systems have been frequently used as pseudomodels for investigating interactions of drugs with biological membranes because of their structural similarities with the latter. This helps to understand complicated yet very important biological processes like diffusion of bioactive moieties through biomembranes. The current study deals with voltammetric and spectroscopic studies to evaluate the interaction of a potential antibacterial drug, gatifloxacin (GTF), with a cationic surfactant, dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB), and an anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), under physiological conditions (phosphate buffer, pH 7.4). For more detailed insight into the GTF–ionic surfactant interactions, density and acoustic data were also recorded and used to calculate several important parameters, namely, apparent molar volume (ɸV), isentropic compressibility (Ks), and apparent molar isentropic compressibility (ɸK) at T = 298.15, 303.15, 308.15, and 313.15 K. Values for partial molar volume (, partial molar expansivity , specific acoustic impedance (Z), relative association (RA), intermolecular free length (Lf), and sound velocity number (U) were also obtained. The interpretation of the concentration dependence of the above‐mentioned quantities using a cosphere overlap model led to a better apprehension of solute–solute and solute–solvent intermolecular interactions present in the investigated system, whereas cyclic voltammetry and ultra violet (UV)–visible spectroscopic studies assisted in predicting the location of adsorbed GTF molecules within the DTAB and SDS micelles.
Antibiotic Prescribing for Acute Rhinosinusitis: In‐Person Versus Virtual Visits During Covid‐19
Authors: Miller Lauren E. , Bhattacharyya Neil
Published: December 2020

Objectives/Hypothesis

Determine if antibiotic prescribing patterns differ for in‐person versus virtual clinic visits for acute rhinosinusitis (ARS).

Study Design

Cross sectional study.

Methods

All adult virtual clinical encounters from March to May 2020 with a principal diagnosis of ARS were reviewed for demographic data and the presence or absence of an antibiotic prescription during the coronavirus shut down in Massachusetts. In‐person clinical encounters from March to May 2019 were similarly examined as a control. The rate of antibiotic prescription was compared between virtual (2020) and in‐person (2019) visits for ARS diagnoses.

Results

There were 2,075 patients in March to May 2020 and 3,654 patients March to May 2019 who received an ARS principal diagnosis at their virtual and in‐person outpatient visits, respectively. There was a statistically significant lower rate of antibiotic prescriptions for ARS in 2020 (72.1%) versus 2019 (76.7%).The odds ratio for an antibiotic prescription for ARS was 0.783 (95% confidence interval, 0.693–0.86; P < .001) for patients seen in the 2020 cohort versus the 2019 cohort. The compared rates for antibiotic prescribing for 2020 versus 2019 were not different in individual month‐to‐month comparisons. When stratified by otolaryngology providers there was no statistically significant difference of antibiotic prescriptions between the 2019 and 2020 cohort (P = .781).

Conclusions

During the massive transition to virtual visits for March to May 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic shut down in Massachusetts, the total rate of outpatient antibiotic prescribing for ARS was lower in the virtual visit environment compared to the traditional in‐person visit. In this scenario, telemedicine did not result in an increase in antibiotic prescribing despite the lack of an in‐person physical exam.

Level of Evidence

IV Laryngoscope, 131:E2121–E2124, 2021
Expression of ACE2, TMPRSS2, and Furin in Mouse Ear Tissue, and the Implications for SARS‐CoV‐2 Infection
Authors: Uranaka Tsukasa , Kashio Akinori , Ueha Rumi , Sato Taku , Bing Han , Ying Gao , Kinoshita Makoto , Kondo Kenji , Yamasoba Tatsuya
Published: December 2020

Objectives/Hypothesis

Intracellular entry of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) depends on the interaction between its spike protein with the cellular receptor angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and depends on Furin‐mediated spike protein cleavage and spike protein priming by host cell proteases, including transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2). As the expression of ACE2, TMPRSS2, and Furin in the middle and inner ear remain unclear, we analyzed the expression of these proteins in mouse ear tissues.

Study Design

Animal Research.

Methods

We performed immunohistochemical analysis to examine the distribution of ACE2, TMPRSS2, and Furin in the Eustachian tube, middle ear spaces, and cochlea of mice.

Results

ACE2 was present in the nucleus of the epithelium of the middle ear and Eustachian tube, as well as in some nuclei of the hair cells in the organ of Corti, in the stria vascularis, and the spiral ganglion cells. ACE2 was also expressed in the cytoplasm of the stria vascularis. TMPRSS2 was expressed in both the nucleus and cytoplasm in the middle spaces, with the expression being stronger in the nucleus in the mucosal epithelium of the middle ear spaces and Eustachian tube. TMPRSS2 was present in the cytoplasm in the organ of Corti and stria vascularis and in the nucleus and cytoplasm in the spiral ganglion. Furin was expressed in the cytoplasm in the middle ear spaces, Eustachian tube, and cochlea.

Conclusions

ACE2, TMPRSS2, and Furin are diffusely present in the Eustachian tube, middle ear spaces, and cochlea, suggesting that these tissues are susceptible to SARS‐CoV‐2 infection.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 131:E2013–E2017, 2021
Studies on coatings containing nano‐zinc oxide for steel protection
Authors: Shmait Abeer , Awad Ramadan , Rahal Hanan T. , Azouri Michele , Abdel‐Gaber Ashraf M.
Published: December 2020

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized using the coprecipitation method. The resulting NPs were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The surface morphology of the coatings has been characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM images show a uniform and homogeneous distribution of ZnO‐NPs in polyurethane (PU) coatings while aggregates appear in epoxy coatings. Using tensile stress–strain test, the effect of the addition of ZnO‐NPs on the mechanical properties of PU and epoxy coatings was examined. The addition of ZnO‐NPs has enhanced the Young's modulus and the tensile strength of PU and epoxy coatings. Through the open‐circuit potential and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements, the anticorrosive properties of PU‐ or epoxy‐coated mild steel panels containing ZnO‐NPs have been investigated in 0.5 M NaCl solution. Nyquist impedance plots for PU and epoxy coatings in PU‐ or epoxy‐coated mild steel panels containing ZnO‐NPs were tested in the absence and presence of ZnO‐NPs have different responses. It has been shown that the dispersion of ZnO‐NPs significantly improves the anticorrosive performance of PU coatings. A PU coating containing 700 mg/kg ZnO‐NPs is recommended to achieve better mechanical properties and corrosion resistance.
Self‐Healable and Transparent Elastomers Based on Dual Reversible Networks
Authors: Wang Peng , Yang Lei , Sun Mingqi , Yang Zhenhuai , Guo Shuai , Gao Gang , Xu Liangge , Ji Dongchao , Cao Wenxin , Zhu Jiaqi
Published: December 2020

The fabrication of silicon elastomer with good mechanical properties and self‐healing ability is still a challenge. Herein, a facile method to fabricate a transparent healable double‐network (DN) elastomer by introducing polyborosiloxane (PBS) into self‐healing polydimethylsiloxane (HPDMS) networks is demonstrated. Tensile testing shows that the mechanical properties of PBS and HPDMS are both improved. The DN elastomer shows high transparency across the visible spectrum with an average transmittance of 75%. Because of the breakage and reconstruction of reversible imine bonds and BO dative bonds, the elastomer exhibits excellent self‐healing properties with a maximum healing efficiency of 98% at room temperature. Meanwhile, the elastomer can be repeatedly reprocessed with a recovery of 85% of virgin mechanical strengths. This work provides a new insight to design transparent, self‐healing silicone elastomers with a simple and eco‐friendly method.
Reduced Plastic Dilatancy in Polymer Glasses
Authors: Peng Qing , Deng Binghui , Utz Marcel
Published: December 2020

Amorphous solids in general exhibit a volume change during plastic deformation due to microstructure change during plastic relaxation. Here the deformation dilatancy of alkane polymer glasses upon shearing is investigated using molecular static simulations at zero temperature and pressure. The dilatancy of linear alkane chains has been quantified as a function of strain and chain length. It is found that the system densities decrease linearly with respect to strain after yield point. In addition, dilatability decreases considerably with increasing chain length, suggesting enhanced cooperation of different deformation mechanisms. An analytic model is introduced for dilatability based on the atomistic study. The entanglement chain length is predicted as 43 for alkane polymers from the model, agreeing well with experiments. The study provides insights of correlations of the physical properties and chain length of polymers which might be useful in material design and applications of structural polymers.
Tripterygium wilfordii: An inspiring resource for rheumatoid arthritis treatment
Authors: Zhang Yanqiong , Mao Xia , Li Weijie , Chen Wenjia , Wang Xiaoyue , Ma Zhaochen , Lin Na
Published: December 2020

Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TwHF)‐based therapy is among the most efficient and crucial therapeutics for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which indicates that TwHF is a potential source of novel anti‐RA drugs. However, accumulating studies have observed that TwHF‐based therapy induces multi‐organ toxicity, which prevents the wide use of this herb in clinical practice, although several recent studies have attempted to reduce the toxicity of TwHF. Notably, our research group developed a “Clinical Practice Guideline for Tripterygium Glycosides/Tripterygium wilfordii Tablets in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis” (No. T/CACM 1337‐2020) approved by the China Association of Chinese Medicine to standardize the clinical application of TwHF‐based therapy and thus avoid adverse effects. Although great strides have been made toward the characterization of TwHF‐based therapy and revealing its underlying pharmacological and toxicological mechanisms, several crucial gaps in knowledge remain as potential barriers to enhance its therapeutic effects on the premise of safety assurance. This review offers a global view of TwHF, ranging from its chemical constituents, quality control, clinical observations, and underlying pharmacological mechanisms to toxic manifestations and mechanisms. We focus on the important and emerging aspects of this field and highlight the major challenges and strategies for using novel techniques and approaches to gain new insights into unresolved questions. We hope that this review will improve the understanding of TwHF application and draw increasing interdisciplinary attention from clinicians that practice both Chinese and Western medicine, basic researchers, and computer scientists.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning‐aided drug discovery in central nervous system diseases: State‐of‐the‐arts and future directions
Authors: Vatansever Sezen , Schlessinger Avner , Wacker Daniel , Kaniskan H. Ümit , Jin Jian , Zhou Ming‐Ming , Zhang Bin
Published: December 2020

Neurological disorders significantly outnumber diseases in other therapeutic areas. However, developing drugs for central nervous system (CNS) disorders remains the most challenging area in drug discovery, accompanied with the long timelines and high attrition rates. With the rapid growth of biomedical data enabled by advanced experimental technologies, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have emerged as an indispensable tool to draw meaningful insights and improve decision making in drug discovery. Thanks to the advancements in AI and ML algorithms, now the AI/ML‐driven solutions have an unprecedented potential to accelerate the process of CNS drug discovery with better success rate. In this review, we comprehensively summarize AI/ML‐powered pharmaceutical discovery efforts and their implementations in the CNS area. After introducing the AI/ML models as well as the conceptualization and data preparation, we outline the applications of AI/ML technologies to several key procedures in drug discovery, including target identification, compound screening, hit/lead generation and optimization, drug response and synergy prediction, de novo drug design, and drug repurposing. We review the current state‐of‐the‐art of AI/ML‐guided CNS drug discovery, focusing on blood–brain barrier permeability prediction and implementation into therapeutic discovery for neurological diseases. Finally, we discuss the major challenges and limitations of current approaches and possible future directions that may provide resolutions to these difficulties.
Comparison between long and lower medial head triceps branches in dual neurotization for shoulder function restoration in upper brachial plexus palsy
Authors: Ellabban Mohamed A. , Sadek Ahmed Fathy , Galhom Ayman , Hafez Ahmed E. , Ramadan Ahmed
Published: December 2020

Purpose

In upper brachial plexus injury (UBPI), restoring shoulder function is crucial. This study compares the transfer of long and lower medial heads of triceps branches to the axillary nerve to achieve proper restoration of function.

Patients and Methods

A retrospective comparative study was conducted between two groups of patients with (UBPI). Group I patients (10) [mean age: 19 ± 10.6 years] were managed by transferring triceps long head branch to axillary nerve while group II patients (8) [mean age: 26 ± 9.6 years] were managed by triceps lower medial head branch transfer. The mean time from injury to surgery was 6 ± 1.3 and 5 ± 1.7 months respectively. All patients were followed up for a minimum of 12 months with the assessment of VAS, DASH score, active range of motion (AROM) and strength of shoulder abduction and external rotation; in addition to shoulder endurance and strengths of donors. Postoperative, three‐monthly, electrodiagnostic assessments were performed.

Results

Postoperatively, the mean VAS and DASH scores; in addition to endurance time, showed significant enhancement in both groups. Patients in both groups have accomplished a mean abduction (AROM) of 98° ± 27.9 and 97° ± 11.9 respectively. The mean external rotation (AROM) was 48° ± 18.4 and 47° ± 9.2 respectively. Furthermore, group II patients had less triceps morbidity in addition to earlier and enhanced electrophysiological recovery.

Conclusions

Dual neurotization for shoulder function restoration in (UBPI) is capable of providing proper functional results with minimal donor morbidity. The triceps lower medial branch provides an excelling donor due to less triceps morbidity, extra length; yet, earlier and enhanced electrophysiological recovery.