bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Newborn screening in Latin America: A brief overview of the state of the art
Authors: Borrajo Gustavo J. C.
Published: March 2021

Latin America is a region consisting of 20 countries that present a wide diversity in terms of a geographic area as well as demographics, ethnicity, economy, social, and healthcare systems. This diversity also applies to the newborn screening (NBS) activities, as demonstrated by the start dates and modalities of implementation as organized programs, the panel of diseases screened for, the available technologies for testing, the coverage, the legislation in force, and the degree of development and success reached. Based on these characteristics, Latin American countries can currently be classified into five groups ranging from fully established national programs to no program at all. Sixteen countries have national or regional NBS programs, but up to date only 14 are actively working. The other 2 have organized programs conducted by different health services providers, but without any unified national coordination. Only six countries have coverage ≥ 90% and 12 ≥ 70%. Thirteen countries have legislation in force defining NBS as mandatory. The 16 countries that have active NBS programs screen for congenital hypothyroidism, 14 for phenylketonuria, 12 for congenital adrenal hyperplasia and cystic fibrosis, and 8 for galactosemia. NBS by tandem mass spectrometry is implemented at a national level only in two countries. Despite these disparities, sustained and significant growth has become evident in the last decade, highlighted by the implementation of new programs, the increase in coverage, the expansion of the panel diseases, the enactment of new NBS laws, and the increasing involvement of government and public health authorities.
Meningeal CGRP‐Prolactin Interaction Evokes Female‐Specific Migraine Behavior
Authors: Avona Amanda , Mason Bianca N. , Burgos‐Vega Carolina , Hovhannisyan Anahit H. , Belugin Sergei N. , Mecklenburg Jennifer , Goffin Vincent , Wajahat Naureen , Price Theodore J. , Akopian Armen N. , Dussor Gregory
Published: March 2021

Objective

Migraine is three times more common in women. CGRP plays a critical role in migraine pathology and causes female‐specific behavioral responses upon meningeal application. These effects are likely mediated through interactions of CGRP with signaling systems specific to females. Prolactin (PRL) levels have been correlated with migraine attacks. Here, we explore a potential interaction between CGRP and PRL in the meninges.

Methods

Prolactin, CGRP, and receptor antagonists CGRP8‐37 or Δ1‐9‐G129R‐hPRL were administered onto the dura of rodents followed by behavioral testing. Immunohistochemistry was used to examine PRL, CGRP and Prolactin receptor (Prlr) expression within the dura. Electrophysiology on cultured and back‐labeled trigeminal ganglia (TG) neurons was used to assess PRL‐induced excitability. Finally, the effects of PRL on evoked CGRP release from ex vivo dura were measured.

Results

We found that dural PRL produced sustained and long‐lasting migraine‐like behavior in cycling and ovariectomized female, but not male rodents. Prlr was expressed on dural afferent nerves in females with little‐to‐no presence in males. Consistent with this, PRL increased excitability only in female TG neurons innervating the dura and selectively sensitized CGRP release from female ex vivo dura. We demonstrate crosstalk between PRL and CGRP systems as CGRP8‐37 decreases migraine‐like responses to dural PRL. Reciprocally, Δ1‐9‐G129R‐hPRL attenuates dural CGRP‐induced migraine behaviors. Similarly, Prlr deletion from sensory neurons significantly reduced migraine‐like responses to dural CGRP.

Interpretation

This CGRP‐PRL interaction in the meninges is a mechanism by which these peptides could produce female‐selective responses and increase the prevalence of migraine in women. ANN NEUROL 2021;89:1129–1144
Internal plasticization of poly(vinyl chloride) by grafting acrylate copolymers via copper‐mediated atom transfer radical polymerization
Authors: Li Longbo , Schneider Yanika , Hoeglund Adrienne B. , Braslau Rebecca
Published: March 2021

Internal plasticization of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) was achieved in one‐step using copper‐mediated atom transfer radical polymerization to graft different ratios of random n‐butyl acrylate and 2–2‐(2‐ethoxyethoxy)ethyl acrylate copolymers from defect sites on the PVC chain. Five graft polymers were made with different ratios of poly(butyl acrylate) (PBA) and poly(2–2‐(2‐ethoxyethoxy)ethyl acrylate) (P2EEA); the glass transition temperatures (Tg) of functionalized PVC polymers range from − 25 to − 50°C. Single Tg values were observed for all polymers, indicating good compatibility between PVC and grafted chains, with no evidence of microphase separation. Plasticization efficiency is higher for polyether P2EEA moieties compared with PBA components. The resultant PVC graft copolymers are thermally more stable compared to unmodified PVC. Increasing the reaction scale from 2 to 14 g produces consistent and reproducible results, suggesting this method could be applicable on an industrial scale.
Piperazine and piperidine‐substituted 7‐hydroxy coumarins for the development of anti‐inflammatory agents
Authors: Buran Kerem , Reis Rengin , Sipahi Hande , Önen Bayram F. Esra
Published: March 2021

Coumarins (2H‐1‐benzopyran‐2‐one), derivatives that can be isolated from several plants, have been reported for their anticoagulant, antimicrobial, anti‐inflammatory, or anticancer activity. Some of these structures are currently approved for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, as antibiotics or as an anticancer drug. Given the great potential of this structure and the limited number of studies that focus on molecules derived from carbon 8 of the benzopyranone heterocycle, we synthesized in this project 38 coumarin derivatives by substituting carbon 8 of the benzopyran ring with some aromatic and aliphatically substituted piperidines and piperazines. As a few of these structures were already shown to exhibit some carbonic anhydrase (CA) inhibition and as CA enzymes are reported to be closely related to inflammation, the synthesized derivatives were evaluated for their anti‐inflammatory activity in vitro. The results indicated that compounds 20 and 31 revealed promising anti‐inflammatory activity, as they demonstrated better activity than the reference drugs.
Facile synthesis of C6‐substituted benz[4,5]imidazo[1,2‐a]quinoxaline derivatives and their anticancer evaluation
Authors: Singh Rahul , Kumar Ravinder , Pandrala Mallesh , Kaur Parleen , Gupta Saloni , Tailor Dhanir , Malhotra Sanjay V. , Salunke Deepak B.
Published: March 2021

Cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide, resulting in continuous efforts to discover and develop highly efficacious anticancer drugs. High‐throughput screening of heterocyclic compound libraries is one of the promising approaches that provided several new lead molecules with a novel mechanism of action. On the basis of the promising anticancer potential of imidazoquinoxaline as well as the structurally similar imidazoquinoline‐derived scaffold, we prepared a set of C6‐substituted benzimidazo[1,2‐a]quinoxaline derivatives via two novel synthetic routes using commercially available starting materials, with good to excellent yields and evaluated their anticancer activity against the NCI‐60 cancer cell lines. The one‐dose (10 µM) anticancer screening of the synthesized compounds in the NCI‐60 cell line panel revealed that the substituents have a significant role in the activity. In particular, the indole (7f), imidazole (7g), and benzimidazole (7h) derivatives showed significant activity against the triple‐negative breast cancer cell line, MDA‐MB‐468. The lead compounds also exhibited notable IC50 values against another breast cancer cell line, MCF‐7. Furthermore, it was observed that these compounds were relatively nontoxic to normal cell lines: HEK293 (human embryonic kidney cell line) and MCF12A (nontumorigenic human breast epithelial cell line). The IC50 values against healthy cells were at least 5‐ to 11‐fold higher, offering a new class of heterocycles that can be further developed as promising therapeutics for cancer treatment.
Eosinophil ETosis–Mediated Release of Galectin‐10 in Eosinophilic Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis
Authors: Fukuchi Mineyo , Kamide Yosuke , Ueki Shigeharu , Miyabe Yui , Konno Yasunori , Oka Nobuyuki , Takeuchi Hiroki , Koyota Souichi , Hirokawa Makoto , Yamada Takechiyo , Melo Rossana C. N. , Weller Peter F. , Taniguchi Masami
Published: March 2021

Objective

Eosinophils are tissue‐dwelling immune cells. Accumulating evidence indicates that a type of cell death termed ETosis is an important cell fate involved in the pathophysiology of inflammatory diseases. Although the critical role of eosinophils in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA; formerly Churg‐Strauss syndrome) is well established, the presence of eosinophil ETosis (EETosis) is poorly understood. We undertook this study to better understand the characteristics of EETosis.

Methods

In vitro studies using blood‐derived eosinophils were conducted to characterize EETosis. The occurrence of EETosis in tissues from patients with EGPA was studied by immunostaining and electron microscopy. Serum concentrations of eosinophil‐derived proteins in healthy controls, patients with asthma, and EGPA patients with active disease or with disease in remission (n = 15 per group) were examined.

Results

EETosis was reliant on reactive oxygen species and peptidylarginine deiminase type 4–dependent histone citrullination, resulting in the cytolytic release of net‐like eosinophil extracellular traps, free galectin‐10, and membrane‐bound intact granules. The signature of EETosis, including loss of cytoplasmic galectin‐10 and deposition of granules, was observed in eosinophils infiltrating various tissues from EGPA patients. Serum eosinophil granule proteins and galectin‐10 levels were increased in EGPA and positively correlated with disease activity as assessed by the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (r = 0.8531, P < 0.0001 for galectin‐10). When normalized to blood eosinophil counts, this correlation remained for galectin‐10 (r = 0.7168, P < 0.0001) but not for granule proteins. Galectin‐10 levels in active EGPA positively correlated with serum interleukin‐5 levels.

Conclusion

Eosinophils infiltrating diseased tissues in EGPA undergo EETosis. Considering the exclusive expression and large pool of cytoplasmic galectin‐10 in eosinophils, elevated serum galectin‐10 levels in patients with EGPA might reflect the systemic occurrence of cytolytic EETosis.
Rethinking Assessment Design: Evidence‐Informed Strategies to Boost Educational Impact in the Anatomical Sciences
Authors: Ryan Anna T. , Wilkinson Tim J.
Published: March 2021

University assessment is in the midst of transformation. Assessments are no longer designed solely to determine that students can remember and regurgitate lecture content, nor in order to rank students to aid with some future selection process. Instead, assessments are expected to drive, support, and enhance learning and to contribute to student self‐assessment and development of skills and attributes for a lifetime of learning. While traditional purposes of certifying achievement and determining readiness to progress remain important, these new expectations for assessment can create tensions in assessment design, selection, and deployment. With the recognition of these tensions, three contemporary approaches to assessment in medical education are described. These approaches include careful consideration of the educational impact of assessment—before, during (test or recall enhanced learning) and after assessments; development of student (and staff) assessment literacy; and planning of cohesive systems of assessment (with a range of assessment tools) designed to assess the various competencies demanded of future graduates. These approaches purposefully straddle the cross purposes of assessment in modern health professions education. The implications of these models are explored within the context of medical education and then linked with contemporary work in the anatomical sciences in order to highlight current synergies and potential future innovations when using evidence‐informed strategies to boost the educational impact of assessments.
Recent Advances of Freestanding Cathodes for Li‐S Batteries
Authors: Zhang Peng , Liu Chang , Yang Yadong , Zheng Yang , Huo Kaifu
Published: March 2021

Lithium‐sulfur batteries (LSBs) with high energy density and low cost have been recognized as one of the most promising next‐generation energy storage systems. Although it has taken decades of development, the practical application of LSBs has been hindered by several inherent obstacles, particularly the severe shuttle effect and sluggish reaction kinetics in the sulfur cathode. Various strategies have been proposed to address these problems via rational design of electrode materials and configurations. Freestanding sulfur cathode could be a promising strategy to improve the sulfur mass loading at the cathode level and energy density of LSBs. This minireview will briefly summary the recent advances in freestanding cathodes for LSBs. The advantages and disadvantages of various freestanding cathodes are discussed and the prospects for the development of flexible cathodes are envisioned.
Paraspeckle nuclear condensates: Global sensors of cell stress?
Authors: McCluggage Finn , Fox Archa H.
Published: March 2021

Paraspeckles are nuclear condensates, or membranelees organelles, that are built on the long noncoding RNA, NEAT1, and have been linked to many diseases. Although originally described as constitutive structures, here, in reviewing this field, we develop the hypothesis that cells increase paraspeckle abundance as part of a general stress response, to aid pro‐survival pathways. Paraspeckles increase in many scenarios: when cells transform from one state to another, become infected with viruses and bacteria, begin to degenerate, under inflammation, in aging, and in cancer. Cells increase paraspeckles by increasing transcription of NEAT1 and adjusting its RNA processing. These increases in NEAT1 are driven by numerous stress‐sensing signaling pathways, including signaling to mitochondria and stress granules, revealing crosstalk between the cytoplasm and nucleoplasm in the stress response. Thus, paraspeckles are an important piece of the puzzle in cellular homeostasis, and could be considered RNA‐scaffolded nuclear equivalents of dynamic stress‐induced structures that form in the cytoplasm. We speculate that, in general, cells rely on phase‐separated paraspeckles to transiently tweak gene regulation in times of cellular flux.
White paper on high‐throughput process development for integrated continuous biomanufacturing
Authors: São Pedro Mariana N. , Silva Tiago C. , Patil Rohan , Ottens Marcel
Published: March 2021

Continuous manufacturing is an indicator of a maturing industry, as can be seen by the example of the petrochemical industry. Patent expiry promotes a price competition between manufacturing companies, and more efficient and cheaper processes are needed to achieve lower production costs. Over the last decade, continuous biomanufacturing has had significant breakthroughs, with regulatory agencies encouraging the industry to implement this processing mode. Process development is resource and time consuming and, although it is increasingly becoming less expensive and faster through high‐throughput process development (HTPD) implementation, reliable HTPD technology for integrated and continuous biomanufacturing is still lacking and is considered to be an emerging field. Therefore, this paper aims to illustrate the major gaps in HTPD and to discuss the major needs and possible solutions to achieve an end‐to‐end Integrated Continuous Biomanufacturing, as discussed in the context of the 2019 Integrated Continuous Biomanufacturing conference. The current HTPD state‐of‐the‐art for several unit operations is discussed, as well as the emerging technologies which will expedite a shift to continuous biomanufacturing.
Investigation of the incompatibility of Knoxiae Radix and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma in rats by 1H NMR and MS‐based untargeted metabolomic analysis
Authors: Yan Xu , Zhao Min , Zou Wanru , Tian Pengyao , Sun Lin , Wang Miao , Zhao Chunjie
Published: March 2021

Knoxiae Radix (HDJ, usually used after being processed into CHDJ) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine that has been recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia for many years. It is said that Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (GC) is incompatible with HDJ, but this is unproven. In this work, nontargeted metabolomics experiments were performed on rats to evaluate the effect of the combination of the two herbals. For this, we conducted a 28‐day administration in rats. The plasma, urine and kidney tissues were collected for a metabolomics study based on 1H NMR and LC–MS. The OPLS‐DA method was used to screen biomarkers. In addition, the KEGG Pathway database and MetaboAnalyst were used to find metabolic pathways. Twenty‐two significant metabolites were identified. These metabolites were related to many metabolic pathways such as amino acid metabolism, synthesis and degradation of ketone bodies. Significant changes in urine creatinine levels revealed that CHDJ is nephrotoxic. When the GC–CHDJ mass ratio was 1, the toxicity was strengthened; when the GC–CHDJ’ mass ratio was 3, the toxicity was alleviated. This is the first time that a metabolomics approach has been used to investigate the incompatibility of GC–CHDJ.
Symptom clusters experienced by breast cancer patients at various treatment stages: A systematic review
Authors: So Winnie K. W. , Law Bernard M. H. , Ng Marques S. N. , He Xiaole , Chan Dorothy N. S. , Chan Carmen W. H. , McCarthy Alexandra L.
Published: March 2021

Breast cancer patients often experience symptoms that adversely affect their quality of life. It is understood that many of these symptoms tend to cluster together: while they might have different manifestations and occur during different phases of the disease trajectory, the symptoms often have a common aetiology that is a potential target for intervention. Understanding the symptom clusters associated with breast cancer might usefully inform the development of effective care plans for affected patients. The aim of this paper is to provide an updated systematic review of the known symptom clusters among breast cancer patients during and/or after cancer treatment. A search was conducted using five databases for studies reporting symptom clusters among breast cancer patients. The search yielded 32 studies for inclusion. The findings suggest that fatigue‐sleep disturbance and psychological symptom cluster (including anxiety, depression, nervousness, irritability, sadness, worry) are the most commonly‐reported symptom clusters among breast cancer patients. Further, the composition of symptom clusters tends to change across various stages of cancer treatment. While this review identified some commonalities, the different methodologies used to identify symptom clusters resulted in inconsistencies in symptom cluster identification. It would be useful if future studies could separately examine the symptom clusters that occur in breast cancer patients undergoing a particular treatment type, and use standardised instruments across studies to assess symptoms. The review concludes that further studies could usefully determine the biological pathways associated with various symptom clusters, which would inform the development of effective and efficient symptom management strategies.
Effectiveness and biochemical basis of wholemeal GlutoPeak test in predicting water absorption and gluten strength of Canadian hard red spring wheat
Authors: Wang Kun , Sangha Jatinder , Cuthbert Richard , Fu Bin Xiao
Published: March 2021

Background and objectives

To further improve the efficiency of GlutoPeak test for selecting water absorption and gluten strength in wheat breeding programs, this study was conducted to investigate the suitability and effectiveness of wholemeal as testing material by eliminating flour milling process which is often the bottleneck of quality evaluation throughput.

Findings

By analyzing forty‐four advanced wheat lines, strong correlations were found for wholemeal GlutoPeak parameters with conventional flour‐based farinograph absorption (r = .82, p < .001) and stability (r > .76, p < .001), and extensigraph Rmax (r > .90, p < .001). The secondary structures of gluten proteins, collected at different mixing stages of GlutoPeak test, were examined using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The β‐turn structure increased significantly from partially developed to fully developed gluten, indicating its critical role in contributing to gluten viscoelasticity.

Conclusions

Without the preparation of refined flour, wholemeal GlutoPeak test can be a powerful tool for rapid and effective selection of key wheat quality traits.

Significance and novelty

This study demonstrated the effectiveness of wholemeal GlutoPeak test in screening key wheat quality parameters. The changes in gluten protein secondary structure during GlutoPeak test (refined flour or wholemeal) were demonstrated for the first time.
Simple Construction of Amorphous Monometallic Cobalt‐Based Selenite Nanoparticles using Ball Milling for Highly Efficient Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Zhou Ling‐Li , Pan Dong‐Sheng , Guo Zheng‐Han , Li Jin‐Kun , Huang Sai , Song Jun‐Ling
Published: March 2021

Amorphous transition‐metal based materials with disordered structure are very desirable in the field of sustainable energy devices and technologies such as water‐splitting and secondary batteries due to their inherent properties of anisotropy and defects. To date, it is very urgent to explore new methods to prepare amorphous electrocatalysts. Herein, we use a simple approach to construct amorphous Co‐based selenite electrocatalyst by mechanical ball milling for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Due to its amorphous structure as well as more active species, the obtained amorphous cobalt selenite C4S‐12 h material on the glassy carbon electrode shows superior electrochemical performance with a low overpotential of 255 mV to drive 10 mA cm−2 in 1.0 M KOH electrolyte. In addition, this catalyst also has an excellent intrinsic activity (high mass activity of 162.0 A g−1 and TOF of 0.063 s−1 at the overpotential of 350 mV) and remarkable long‐term stability (at least 32 h at a current density of 10 mA cm−2). This study offers a simple and environmentally friendly method to construct highly efficient electrocatalysts for water oxidation.
Enabling Circular Economy: The Overlooked Role of Inorganic Materials Chemistry
Authors: Salviulo Gabriella , Lavagnolo Maria Cristina , Dabalà Manuele , Bernardo Enrico , Polimeno Antonino , Sambi Mauro , Bonollo Franco , Gross Silvia
Published: March 2021

Circular economy is considered a new chance to build a more sustainable world from both the social and the economic point of view. In this Essay, the possible contribution of inorganic chemistry towards a smooth transition to circularity in inorganic materials design and production is discussed by adopting an interdisciplinary approach.
‘Secret shopper’ study of residential programs
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: March 2021

Many parents want their children — even their adult children — with substance use disorders (SUDs) to be in residential treatment. They feel that it's safe. They don't want them to have outpatient buprenorphine or methadone, despite the fact that these medications are first‐line treatment for opioid use disorders (OUD). In addition, many of these children do not have opioid problems — increasingly, stimulants are a problem, and alcohol and marijuana always have been; OUD medications don't work for these SUDs.
Transitioning back to in‐person school: Tips from AACAP
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: March 2021

Debra Reicher, Ph.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Stony Brook University School of Medicine, has some useful tips for children — and parents — on returning to school. She issued these via the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) last summer.
How to Navigate Trainee‐Mentor Relationships and Interpersonal Dynamics in the Lab
Authors: Antes Alison L. , Maggi Leonard B.
Published: March 2021

Relationships with mentors and labmates are defining aspects of a researcher's journey in science. Ideally, these interactions are outstanding opportunities to learn from others and provide the basis for lifelong collaborations. Unfortunately, sometimes interpersonal dynamics in the lab are challenging. Graduate students entering the lab can greatly benefit from advice about navigating the interpersonal aspects of doing science. This article covers essential recommendations for developing a good trainee‐mentor relationship and working well with peers in the lab, or being a “good lab citizen.” Lab members–especially graduate students–often spend more time with labmates than with their friends and family during their graduate career, making these relationships essential to their well‐being. The guidance also covers some advice for handling a tense relationship or problematic work environment. Finally, the advice concludes by discussing how to manage the fear of failure, overcome imposter syndrome, develop self‐awareness, and cope with stress. These four issues are fundamental to success in research but are not discussed with graduate students as much as may be necessary. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

This article was corrected on 25 July 2022. See the end of the full text for details.
Influence of Annealing Temperature Modulation on the Structural and Optical Properties of ZnSe Thin Films
Authors: Yuan Yafei , Liu Chunmin , Li Yaopeng , Li Jing
Published: March 2021

The research work is devoted to study the influence of annealing temperature on the structural and optical properties of ZnSe thin films. The samples are prepared by a thermal evaporation technique and part of the as‐deposited films are annealed. X‐ray diffraction patterns and Raman spectra analysis reveal that the ZnSe thin films have cubic zinc‐blende crystal structure and the crystallinity increases as the annealing temperature increases. For the linear optical parameters, the absorption edge moves to shorter wavelengths with the increase of annealing temperature. Based on Swanepoel's method, the refractive index, film thickness, absorption coefficient and optical band gap are determined. The values of band gap are found to increase from 2.63 to 2.68 eV as the annealing temperature increases. By performing an open aperture Z‐scan technique with femtosecond pulses under 800 nm wavelength, all ZnSe samples show two‐photon absorption responses. It is found that the modulation depth and the two‐photon absorption coefficient decrease with increasing annealing temperature. Moreover, all samples exhibit better optical limiting responses at higher incident power intensities. These novel properties render this a promising material for traditional optoelectronic devices and optical limiters.
Field evaluation of weed suppression in fine fescue (Festuca spp.)
Authors: Breuillin‐Sessoms Florence , Petrella Dominic P. , Trappe Jon M. , Mihelich Nicole T. , Patton Aaron J. , Watkins Eric
Published: March 2021

Weed suppression has been observed in the fine fescues, a group of low‐input turfgrasses. Of the fine fescues, Chewings fescue (Festuca rubra L. ssp. commutata Gaudin; CH) and strong creeping red fescue (F. rubra L. ssp. rubra Gaudin; ST) displayed the strongest weed suppression ability in previous research while hard fescue (F. brevipila Tracey; HF) did not appear to have the same level of suppression. However, most of this research occurred more than 10 years ago and did not lead to improved cultivars. There is a need for confirmation of these results using diverse germplasm that may have genetic variability for weed suppression; this information would be useful for turfgrass breeding efforts. Our objective was to screen for weed suppression abilities in 19 fine fescue accessions originally collected in Europe, at two distinct field locations, St. Paul, MN and West Lafayette, IN, infested with smooth crabgrass (Digitaria ischaemum (Schreb.) Schreb. ex Muhl.). Our results confirmed previous reports that the F. rubra taxa are more crabgrass suppressive than HF. Chewings fescue and slender creeping red fescue [F. rubra L. ssp. littoralis (G. Mey.) Auquier; SL] displayed the strongest ability to suppress smooth crabgrass. Results also indicated that there is large variability between the entries within each taxon, including within HF. Slender creeping red fescues were relatively more weed suppressive than previously shown, and this taxon needs further attention. Results suggest further opportunities for plant breeders to develop new weed suppressive cultivars for low‐input turfgrass systems.
Erroneous expression of NKG2D on granulocytes detected by phycoerythrin‐conjugated clone 149810 antibody
Authors: Chitadze Guranda , Lettau Marcus , Peters Christian , Luecke Stefanie , Flüh Charlotte , Quabius Elgar Susanne , Synowitz Michael , Held‐Feindt Janka , Kabelitz Dieter
Published: March 2021

Background

The activating Natural killer group 2 member D (NKG2D) receptor is typically expressed on NK cells, CD8 T lymphocytes, γδ T cells and small subsets of CD4 T lymphocytes. During the course of an extensive flow cytometry phenotyping of immune cells in the peripheral blood of patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) we noticed an unexpected expression of NKG2D receptor on granulocytes using the phycoerythrin (PE)‐conjugated clone 149810 antibody.

Methods

Peripheral blood samples from 35 patients with GBM and 22 age‐matched healthy control (HC) donors were analyzed using flow cytometry, imaging cytometry and real‐time quantitative reverse transcription PCR to validate the observed expression of NKG2D receptor on myeloid cells.

Results

Reactivity with PE‐149810 was mostly observed on granulocytes from GBM patients on dexamethasone treatment where it correlated with inferior survival rates. Surprisingly, such NKG2D expression on granulocytes was not observed using the allophycocyanin (APC)‐conjugate of the same clone 149810 antibody or an indirect staining procedure with unconjugated clone 149810 antibody. Moreover, the PE‐conjugate of a different anti‐NKG2D clone (1D11) also did not stain granulocytes. Imaging cytometry indicated cell surface and intracellular localization of PE‐149810 but not of PE‐1D11 in granulocytes.

Conclusion

Our results uncover an erroneous and false positive reactivity of PE‐labeled (but not of APC‐labeled or unconjugated) anti‐NKG2D antibody 149810 on granulocytes from dexamethasone‐treated GBM patients and raise a note of caution for studies of NKG2D expression on non‐lymphoid cells.
Myeloid sarcoma diagnosed on pleural effusion cytology: A case report and literature review
Authors: Cross Ashley , Chajewski Olga S , Rutland Cooper , Smith Keenen , Woodham Paige , Skipper Daniel , Lindsey Kathryn G
Published: March 2021

Myeloid sarcoma (MS) is a mass‐forming, extramedullary infiltration of myeloid blasts rarely presenting in cases of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). These tumoral masses rarely occur at any and multiple anatomic sites, precedent or coincident with bone marrow evidence of AML. We report a case of MS that presented as pancreatic and cardiac masses where subsequent evaluation of pleural effusion cytology rendered the diagnosis. Primary MS diagnosed via pleural effusion cytology is not yet reported in literature. Herein, we report the case of a 45‐year‐old man who presented with abdominal pain. An infiltrative mass was identified in the pancreatic head, suspicious for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Despite multiple attempts, Fine needle aspiration cytology of the pancreatic mass failed to render a definitive diagnosis. Subsequent thoracentesis of a right pleural effusion revealed cytologically malignant cells, identified as myeloid blasts after immunohistochemical and flow cytometric evaluation. Although rare, MS should be considered as a diagnostic possibility in the evaluation of malignancy with an unknown primary.
Successful biological control of winter moth, Operophtera brumata, in the northeastern United States
Authors: Elkinton Joseph S. , Boettner George H. , Broadley Hannah J.
Published: March 2021

Winter moth, Operophtera brumata, native to Europe, invaded the northeastern United States in the late 1990s, where it caused widespread defoliation of forests and shade trees ranging from 2,266 to 36,360 ha/yr between 2003 and 2015 in Massachusetts. In 2005, we initiated a biological control effort based on the specialist tachinid parasitoid Cyzenis albicans, which had previously been introduced along with the generalist ichneumonid parasitoid Agrypon flaveolatum to control winter moth in Nova Scotia in the 1950s and British Columbia in the 1970s. Due to concerns of possible non‐target impacts by A. flaveolatum, we focused entirely on the specialist C. albicans. Each year for 14 yr, we collected several thousand individuals of C. albicans from British Columbia and released them in widely spaced sites in the northeastern United States. As of 2020, we had established C. albicans at 41 of 44 sites from coastal Maine to southeastern Connecticut. By 2016, winter moth densities (pupae/m2) had declined from 100–500 to 0–10 pupae/m2 at six release sites at least 10 km apart and this was coincident with the onset of 10–40% parasitism. At one site in Wellesley, Massachusetts, the decline occurred in 2012 and winter moth densities have remained low for seven subsequent years. Defoliation in Massachusetts has been reduced to undetectable levels by aerial survey since 2016. DNA sequencing of the barcoding region of the mitochondrial gene CO1 confirmed that all C. albicans reared from winter moth matched the C. albicans collected from Vancouver Island and were distinct from parasitic flies (presumably a native species) reared from a native congener of winter moth, Bruce spanworm (O. bruceata). Successful establishment of C. albicans on winter moth represents a rare, if not the only, example of the biological control of a major forest defoliator that attacks a wide range of tree species anywhere in the world by the establishment of a single specialist natural enemy.
SGLT2i versus ARNI in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Yan Yuling , Liu Bin , Du Jun , Wang Jing , Jing Xiaodong , Liu Yajie , Deng Songbai , Du Jianlin , She Qiang
Published: March 2021

Aims

This study aimed to determine the effects of sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), compare the effect of SGLT2i with angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI), and find whether combination of SGLT2i and ARNI is better than monotherapy.

Methods and results

Embase, Medline, and Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials were searched for randomized controlled trials evaluating SGLT2i or ARNI in HFrEF. And a total of six trials were included. SGLT2i was found to significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure by 27% [hazard ratio (HR) 0.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.67–0.80], hospitalization for heart failure by 31% (HR 0.69, 95% CI 0.62–0.77), cardiovascular death by 16% (HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.74–0.95), and all‐cause death by 16% (HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.75–0.94) in HFrEF only with a statistically higher risk of genital infection (risk ratio (RR) 2.78, 95% CI 1.46–5.29). The reduction in cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure was of similar magnitude in patients with or without diabetes mellitus (HR 0.71, 95% CI 0.64–0.80 vs. HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.65–0.87) using SGLT2i. Indirect treatment comparison showed that SGLT2i and ARNI had similar effects on primary outcome (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.82–1.06). And combination of SGLT2i and ARNI achieved a better prognosis performance (HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.53–0.89) compared with ARNI monotherapy.

Conclusions

SGLT2i could safely reduce cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure in HFrEF regardless of diabetes mellitus status. SGLT2i and ARNI demonstrate similar effects, while combination of SGLT2i and ARNI results in a better cardiovascular protective effect.
Yield and nutrient uptake dissected through complementarity and selection effects in the maize/soybean intercropping
Authors: Zhang Runzhi , Meng Lingbo , Li Ying , Wang Xuerong , Ogundeji Abiola O. , Li Xinrui , Sang Ping , Mu Yao , Wu Haolei , Li Shumin
Published: March 2021

The yield and nutrient uptake advantages in an intercropping system are commonly supposed to be driven by the overall functional complementarity and temporal/space niche differentiation between the species. However, studies on the separation of the complementarity effect (CE) and selection effect (SE) on yield and nutrient uptake to understand the underlying mechanisms of intercropping mediated by N application rates are relatively few. Here, field experiments with four N application rates (maize: 0, 180, 240, and 300 kg N ha−1; soybean: 0, 40, 80, and 120 kg N ha−1) were conducted to study yield and nutrient uptake advantages in the maize/soybean intercropping system in 2017 and 2018. Intercropping significantly enhanced the maize yield and decreased the soybean yield, and yield advantage was observed across all N application rates. Also, the gross profit was significantly affected by N application rates and intercropping, and the maximum increase in intercropped compared to that of monoculture appeared at the N2 treatment in 2018. Moreover, nutrient uptake was significantly affected by intercropping and N application rates; the N uptake of the intercropping system (on average of two years) was highest at the N2 application rate, which increased by 13.8% compared to that of monoculture system. CE and SE of grain yield were positive over the two‐year study and were both the main contributions. Furthermore, SE in N and P (only observed in 2017) uptake increased with the increase in N application rate, and SE was the main contribution to P uptake. Application of the additive partitioning method to intercropping may help to analyze the drivers of yield and nutrient advantage of intercropping and promote careful management of fertilizer application to improve nutrient use efficiency.
Civic Learning for a Democracy in Crisis
Authors: Jennings Bruce , Gusmano Michael K. , Kaebnick Gregory E. , Neuhaus Carolyn P. , Solomon Mildred Z.
Published: March 2021

This essay introduces a special report from The Hastings Center entitled Democracy in Crisis: Civic Learning and the Reconstruction of Common Purpose, which grew out of a project supported by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. This multiauthored report offers wide‐ranging assessments of increasing polarization and partisanship in American government and politics, and it proposes constructive responses to this in the provision of objective information, institutional reforms in government and the electoral system, and a reexamination of cultural and political values needed if democracy is to function well in a pluralistic and diverse society. The essays in the special report explore the norms of civic learning and institutions, social movements, and communal innovations that can revitalize civic learning in practice. This introductory essay defines and explains the notion of civic learning, which is a lynchpin connecting many of the essays in the report. Civic learning pertains to the ways in which citizens learn about collective social problems and make decisions about them that reflect the duties and responsibilities of citizenship. Such learning can occur in many social settings in everyday life, and it can also be facilitated through participation in the processes of democratic governance on many levels. Civic learning is not doctrinaire and is compatible with a range of public goals and policies. It is an activity that increases what might be called the democratic capability of a people.
Creative Democracy—the TaskStillbefore Us
Authors: Westbrook Robert
Published: March 2021

This essay looks to Thomas Jefferson and John Dewey, as well as a contemporary political theorist, Kevin O'Leary, for some guidance in confronting the present crisis in American democratic norms and practices—including that swirling around issues of public health.
Recommendations for Better Civic Learning: Building and Rebuilding Democracy
Authors: Jennings Bruce , Gusmano Michael K. , Kaebnick Gregory E. , Neuhaus Carolyn P. , Solomon Mildred Z.
Published: March 2021

This is the concluding essay for a special report from The Hastings Center entitled Democracy in Crisis: Civic Learning and the Reconstruction of Common Purpose, which grew out of a project supported by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. This essay provides an integrative discussion of various theoretical and practical reform perspectives offered by other essays in the report. It also offers a number of recommendations. It notes that the aim of the special report is not to propose specific reform measures but, rather, to consider larger, more theoretic concerns related to political and economic questions, which are personal and structural—psychological, cultural, and institutional—at the same time. In response, this essay argues that the best relationship between the citizenry and government in a democracy is not one of deference, nor one of contestation, but one that is critically constructive, which in turn is linked to practices of civic learning. To be constructive, citizens need scientific literacy, an understanding of how government and other institutions work, critical thinking abilities, and many open and diverse forums for civic learning to offset the increasingly isolating media “bubbles” that are the only source of information for many. The essay then formulates five recommendations designed to facilitate critically constructive citizenship and civic learning. These are creating a basis for civic participation, acquiring information, talking to each other, designing institutional change, and achieving deliberation.
“Sometimes, I Just Go on a Pinning Spree”: How One Middle Schooler Negotiates Multimodal Platforms
Authors: Morrison Jennifer D.
Published: March 2021

Communication is the result of meaning making based on one’s frames of knowing. For students, those frames of knowing derive heavily from multimedia communication, including social networking sites, that allow them to be the makers of content. In this study, I followed an eighth‐grade student who fluidly negotiated a multitude of available social technologies, integrating them in unique and personal ways to help her attain deep and complex literacy levels. Of significance is that her engagement with these literacies was done in ways invisible within school settings and could easily be unseen, overlooked, ignored, or undervalued, failing to reveal an accurate depiction of her literacy knowledge and skills. I used the multiliteracies’ concept of design to frame the study, and I provide suggestions for educators to better identify unobserved literacy practices.
Protective effects of paclitaxel on thioacetamide‐induced liver fibrosis in a rat model
Authors: Sharawy Maha H. , El‐Awady Mohammed S. , Makled Mirhan N.
Published: March 2021

Liver fibrosis is a public health burden that is highly associated with morbidity and mortality. Therefore, this study aims to explore the anti‐fibrotic effects of low dose of paclitaxel (PTX) against thioacetamide (TAA)‐induced liver fibrosis in rats and the possible mechanisms involved. TAA was administered at a dose of 200 mg/kg twice weekly for 6 weeks in rats to induce liver fibrosis similar to that in humans. Liver dysfunction was shown by increased alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and γ‐glutamyl transferase, along with histopathological changes. Liver fibrosis was confirmed by Masson's Trichome staining, increased collagen content, and elevated α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) protein expression. In addition, TAA induced liver apoptosis as indicated by the increased terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL)‐positive cells in liver tissues. This study demonstrated that the administration of PTX (0.3 mg/kg/i.p.) three times a week for 6 weeks significantly alleviated functional and biochemical changes induced by TAA in addition to improving the liver architecture. PTX attenuated liver fibrosis as reflected by the decreased collagen content and α‐SMA protein expression. Additionally, PTX attenuated liver apoptosis as indicated by the decreased TUNEL‐positive cells. Moreover, PTX prevented TAA‐induced elevation of transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1), platelet‐derived growth factor‐BB (PDGF‐BB), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP‐1) levels in liver tissues. These findings suggest that the low dose of PTX prevented TAA‐induced liver fibrosis in rats, possibly by inhibiting the expression of TGF‐β1 and PDGF‐BB and subsequently suppressing the apoptosis and the expression of TIMP‐1.
Effects of Hepatic Impairment on the Pharmacokinetics of Abrocitinib and Its Metabolites
Authors: Wang Ellen Q. , Le Vu , O'Gorman Melissa , Tripathy Sakambari , Dowty Martin E. , Wang Lisy , Malhotra Bimal K.
Published: March 2021

Abrocitinib, an oral once‐daily Janus kinase 1 selective inhibitor, is under development for treatment of atopic dermatitis. This phase 1, nonrandomized, open‐label, single‐dose study (NCT03626415) investigated the effect of hepatic impairment on pharmacokinetics (PK), safety, and tolerability of abrocitinib and its metabolites after a 200‐mg oral dose. Twenty‐four subjects with varying degrees of hepatic function (normal, mild, and moderate impairment) were enrolled (N = 8/group). Active moiety PK parameters were calculated as the sum of unbound PK parameters for abrocitinib and its active metabolites. For abrocitinib, the ratios (percentages) of adjusted geometric means for area under the concentration‐time curve from time 0 extrapolated to infinite time (AUCinf) and maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) were 133.33 (90% confidence interval [CI], 86.17‐206.28) and 94.40 (90%CI, 62.96‐141.55), respectively, for subjects with mild hepatic impairment vs normal hepatic function. The corresponding comparisons of ratios (percentages) for AUCinf and Cmax were 153.99 (90%CI, 99.52‐238.25) and 105.53 (90%CI, 70.38‐158.24), respectively, for subjects with moderate hepatic impairment. Exposures of the metabolites were generally lower in subjects with hepatic impairment. For abrocitinib active moiety, the ratios (percentages) of adjusted geometric means of unbound AUCinf were 95.74 (90%CI, 72.71‐126.08) and 114.82 (90%CI, 87.19‐151.20) in subjects with mild and moderate impairment vs normal hepatic function, respectively. Abrocitinib was generally safe and well tolerated. Hepatic impairment had no clinically relevant effect on the PK and safety of abrocitinib and the exposure of abrocitinib active moiety. These results support the use of abrocitinib without dose adjustment in subjects with mild or moderate hepatic impairment.