bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk assessment of thromboembolic events in hospitalized cancer patients
Authors: Nichetti Federico , Ligorio Francesca , Montelatici Giulia , Porcu Luca , Zattarin Emma , Provenzano Leonardo , Franza Andrea , Lalli Luca , de Braud Filippo , Platania Marco
Published: September 2021

Hospitalized cancer patients are at increased risk for Thromboembolic Events (TEs). As untailored thromboprophylaxis is associated with hemorrhagic complications, the definition of a risk-assessment model (RAM) in this population is needed. INDICATE was a prospective observational study enrolling hospitalized cancer patients, with the primary objective of assessing the Negative Predictive Value (NPV) for TEs during hospitalization and within 45 days from discharge of low-grade Khorana Score (KS = 0). Secondary objectives were to assess KS Positive Predictive Value (PPV), the impact of TEs on survival and the development of a new RAM. Assuming 7% of TEs in KS = 0 patients as unsatisfactory percentage and 3% of as satisfactory, 149 patients were needed to detect the favorable NPV with one-sided α = 0.10 and power = 0.80. Stepwise logistic regression was adopted to identify variables included in a new RAM. Among 535 enrolled patients, 153 (28.6%) had a KS = 0. The primary study objective was met: 29 (5.4%) TEs were diagnosed, with 7 (4.6%) cases in the KS = 0 group (NPV = 95.4%, 95% CI 90.8–98.1%; one-sided p = 0.084). However, the PPV was low (5.7%, 95% CI 1.9–12.8%); a new RAM based on albumin (OR 0.34, p = 0.003), log(LDH) (OR 1.89, p = 0.023) and presence of vascular compression (OR 5.32, p < 0.001) was developed and internally validated. Also, TEs were associated with poorer OS (median, 5.7 vs 24.8 months, p < 0.001). INDICATE showed that the KS has a good NPV but poor PPV for TEs in hospitalized cancer patients. A new RAM was developed, and deserves further assessment in external cohorts.
Uncertainty-induced instantaneous speed and acceleration of a levitated particle
Authors: Ornigotti Luca , Filip Radim
Published: September 2021

Levitating nanoparticles trapped in optical potentials at low pressure open the experimental investigation of nonlinear ballistic phenomena. With engineered non-linear potentials and fast optical detection, the observation of autonomous transient mechanical effects, such as instantaneous speed and acceleration stimulated purely by initial position uncertainty, are now achievable. By using parameters of current low pressure experiments, we simulate and analyse such uncertainty-induced particle ballistics in a cubic optical potential demonstrating their evolution, faster than their standard deviations, justifying the feasibility of the experimental verification. We predict, the maxima of instantaneous speed and acceleration distributions shift alongside the potential force, while the maximum of position distribution moves opposite to it. We report that cryogenic cooling is not necessary in order to observe the transient effects, while a low uncertainty in initial particle speed is required, via cooling or post-selection, to not mask the effects. These results stimulate the discussion for both attractive stochastic thermodynamics, and extension of recently explored quantum regime.
Deep neural network for detecting arbitrary precision peptide features through attention based segmentation
Authors: Zohora Fatema Tuz , Rahman M. Ziaur , Tran Ngoc Hieu , Xin Lei , Shan Baozhen , Li Ming
Published: September 2021

A promising technique of discovering disease biomarkers is to measure the relative protein abundance in multiple biofluid samples through liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) based quantitative proteomics. The key step involves peptide feature detection in the LC-MS map, along with its charge and intensity. Existing heuristic algorithms suffer from inaccurate parameters and human errors. As a solution, we propose PointIso, the first point cloud based arbitrary-precision deep learning network to address this problem. It consists of attention based scanning step for segmenting the multi-isotopic pattern of 3D peptide features along with the charge, and a sequence classification step for grouping those isotopes into potential peptide features. PointIso achieves 98% detection of high-quality MS/MS identified peptide features in a benchmark dataset. Next, the model is adapted for handling the additional ‘ion mobility’ dimension and achieves 4% higher detection than existing algorithms on the human proteome dataset. Besides contributing to the proteomics study, our novel segmentation technique should serve the general object detection domain as well.
An observational and Mendelian randomisation study on vitamin D and COVID-19 risk in UK Biobank
Authors: Li Xue , van Geffen Jos , van Weele Michiel , Zhang Xiaomeng , He Yazhou , Meng Xiangrui , Timofeeva Maria , Campbell Harry , Dunlop Malcolm , Zgaga Lina , Theodoratou Evropi
Published: September 2021

A growing body of evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency has been associated with an increased susceptibility to viral and bacterial respiratory infections. In this study, we aimed to examine the association between vitamin D and COVID-19 risk and outcomes. We used logistic regression to identify associations between vitamin D variables and COVID-19 (risk of infection, hospitalisation and death) in 417,342 participants from UK Biobank. We subsequently performed a Mendelian Randomisation (MR) study to look for evidence of a causal effect. In total, 1746 COVID-19 cases (399 deaths) were registered between March and June 2020. We found no significant associations between COVID-19 infection risk and measured 25-OHD levels after adjusted for covariates, but this finding is limited by the fact that the vitamin D levels were measured on average 11 years before the pandemic. Ambient UVB was strongly and inversely associated with COVID-19 hospitalization and death overall and consistently after stratification by BMI and ethnicity. We also observed an interaction that suggested greater protective effect of genetically-predicted vitamin D levels when ambient UVB radiation is stronger. The main MR analysis did not show that genetically-predicted vitamin D levels are causally associated with COVID-19 risk (OR = 0.77, 95% CI 0.55–1.11, P = 0.160), but MR sensitivity analyses indicated a potential causal effect (weighted mode MR: OR = 0.72, 95% CI 0.55–0.95, P = 0.021; weighted median MR: OR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.42–0.92, P = 0.016). Analysis of MR-PRESSO did not find outliers for any instrumental variables and suggested a potential causal effect (OR = 0.80, 95% CI 0.66–0.98, p-val = 0.030). In conclusion, the effect of vitamin D levels on the risk or severity of COVID-19 remains controversial, further studies are needed to validate vitamin D supplementation as a means of protecting against worsened COVID-19.
Discovering and comparing types of general practitioner practices using geolocational features and prescribing behaviours by means of K-means clustering
Authors: Booth Frederick G. , R Bond Raymond , D Mulvenna Maurice , Cleland Brian , McGlade Kieran , Rankin Debbie , Wallace Jonathan , Black Michaela
Published: September 2021

Traditionally General Practitioner (GP) practices have been labelled as being in Rural, Urban or Semi-Rural areas with no statistical method of identifying which practices fall into each category. The main aim of this study is to investigate whether location and other characteristics can provide a tautology to identify different types of GP practice and compare the prescribing behaviours associated with the different practice types. To achieve this monthly open source prescription data were analysed by practice considering location, practice size, population density and deprivation rankings. One year’s data was subjected to k-means clustering with the results showing that only two different types of GP practice can be classified that are dependent on location characteristics in Northern Ireland. Traditional labels did not describe the two classifications fully and new classifications of Metropolitan and Non-Metropolitan were used. Whilst prescribing patterns were generally similar, it was found that Metropolitan practices generally had higher prescribing rates than Non-Metropolitan practices. Examining prescribing behaviours in accordance with British National Formulary (BNF) categories (known as chapters) showed that Chapter 4 (Central Nervous System) was responsible for most of the difference in prescribing levels. Within Chapter 4 higher prescribing levels were attributable to Analgesic and Antidepressant prescribing. The clusters were finally examined regarding the level of deprivation experienced in the area in which the practice was located. This showed that the Metropolitan cluster, having higher prescription rates, also had a higher proportion of practices located in highly deprived areas making deprivation a contributing factor.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy cell culture models created by CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing and their application in drug screening
Authors: Soblechero-Martín Patricia , Albiasu-Arteta Edurne , Anton-Martinez Aina , de la Puente-Ovejero Laura , Garcia-Jimenez Iker , González-Iglesias Gabriela , Larrañaga-Aiestaran Irene , López-Martínez Andrea , Poyatos-García Javier , Ruiz-Del-Yerro Estíbaliz , Gonzalez Federico , Arechavala-Gomeza Virginia
Published: September 2021

Gene editing methods are an attractive therapeutic option for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and they have an immediate application in the generation of research models. To generate myoblast cultures that could be useful in in vitro drug screening, we have optimised a CRISPR/Cas9 gene edition protocol. We have successfully used it in wild type immortalised myoblasts to delete exon 52 of the dystrophin gene, modelling a common Duchenne muscular dystrophy mutation; and in patient’s immortalised cultures we have deleted an inhibitory microRNA target region of the utrophin UTR, leading to utrophin upregulation. We have characterised these cultures by demonstrating, respectively, inhibition of dystrophin expression and overexpression of utrophin, and evaluating the expression of myogenic factors (Myf5 and MyH3) and components of the dystrophin associated glycoprotein complex (α-sarcoglycan and β-dystroglycan). To demonstrate their use in the assessment of DMD treatments, we have performed exon skipping on the DMDΔ52-Model and have used the unedited DMD cultures/ DMD-UTRN-Model combo to assess utrophin overexpression after drug treatment. While the practical use of DMDΔ52-Model is limited to the validation to our gene editing protocol, DMD-UTRN-Model presents a possible therapeutic gene edition target as well as a useful positive control in the screening of utrophin overexpression drugs.
Deciphering complex genome rearrangements in C. elegans using short-read whole genome sequencing
Authors: Maroilley Tatiana , Li Xiao , Oldach Matthew , Jean Francesca , Stasiuk Susan J. , Tarailo-Graovac Maja
Published: September 2021

Genomic rearrangements cause congenital disorders, cancer, and complex diseases in human. Yet, they are still understudied in rare diseases because their detection is challenging, despite the advent of whole genome sequencing (WGS) technologies. Short-read (srWGS) and long-read WGS approaches are regularly compared, and the latter is commonly recommended in studies focusing on genomic rearrangements. However, srWGS is currently the most economical, accurate, and widely supported technology. In Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), such variants, induced by various mutagenesis processes, have been used for decades to balance large genomic regions by preventing chromosomal crossover events and allowing the maintenance of lethal mutations. Interestingly, those chromosomal rearrangements have rarely been characterized on a molecular level. To evaluate the ability of srWGS to detect various types of complex genomic rearrangements, we sequenced three balancer strains using short-read Illumina technology. As we experimentally validated the breakpoints uncovered by srWGS, we showed that, by combining several types of analyses, srWGS enables the detection of a reciprocal translocation (eT1), a free duplication (sDp3), a large deletion (sC4), and chromoanagenesis events. Thus, applying srWGS to decipher real complex genomic rearrangements in model organisms may help designing efficient bioinformatics pipelines with systematic detection of complex rearrangements in human genomes.
KCTD15 deregulation is associated with alterations of the NF-κB signaling in both pathological and physiological model systems
Authors: Smaldone Giovanni , Coppola Luigi , Pane Katia , Franzese Monica , Beneduce Giuliana , Parasole Rosanna , Menna Giuseppe , Vitagliano Luigi , Salvatore Marco , Mirabelli Peppino
Published: September 2021

Like other KCTD proteins, KCTD15 is involved in important albeit distinct biological processes as cancer, neural crest formation, and obesity. Here, we characterized the role of KCTD15 in different physiological/pathological states to gain insights into its diversified function(s). The silencing of KCTD15 in MLL-rearranged leukemia models induced attenuation of the NF-κB pathway associated with a downregulation of pIKK-β and pIKB-α. Conversely, the activation of peripheral blood T cells upon PMA/ionomycin stimulation remarkably upregulated KCTD15 and, simultaneously, pIKK-β and pIKB-α. Moreover, a significant upregulation of KCTD15 was also observed in CD34 hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells where the NF-κB pathway is physiologically activated. The association between KCTD15 upregulation and increased NF-κB signaling was confirmed by luciferase assay as well as KCTD15 and IKK-β proximity ligation and immunoprecipitation experiments. The observed upregulation of IKK-β by KCTD15 provides a novel and intriguing interpretative key for understanding the protein function in a wide class of physiological/pathological conditions ranging from neuronal development to cancer and obesity/diabetes.
Increased risk of health professionals to feel traumatized during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Braule Pinto André Luiz Carvalho , Serpa Alexandre Luiz Oliveira , de Paula Jonas Jardim , Costa Danielle Souza , Robis Kelly , Diaz Alexandre Paim , Joaquim Rui Mateus , da Silva Antônio Geraldo , de Miranda Débora Marques , Malloy-Diniz Leandro Fernandes
Published: September 2021

Health professionals may be a vulnerable group to posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. To investigate how health professionals who experienced a traumatic event are expressing PTSS and factors related to risk for higher PTSS symptomatology can inform how health professionals are facing their role in this crisis. This was an Internet cross-sectional survey. Participants were 49,767 Brazilian health professionals who have ever faced a traumatic event, which was about 25.9% of an initial sample of health professionals. PTSS symptoms were assessed using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and latent profile analysis (LPA) explored subpopulations within participants based on their scores. Distinct profiles were compared for psychological distress (e.g., depression and anxiety) and quality of life. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to investigate the relationship between IES-R profiles and COVID-19 related experiences, thoughts, and perceptions. A two-profile model was the most appropriate for the IES-R data pointing out a group with a high level of PTSS (named high-PTSS; n = 10,401, 20.9%) and another expressing a low level of symptoms (named low-PTSS; n = 39,366, 79.1%). The high-PTSS profile demonstrated worse psychological scores (global psychological distress, somatization, depression, and anxiety) and worse quality of life (physical, psychological, social, and environmental) with moderate magnitudes. Small but significant predictors of the high-PTSS profile included sociodemographic characteristics and COVID-19 related experiences, thoughts, and perceptions. Most individuals who experienced a traumatic event were not in the high-PTSS profile. For those who were, however, psychological and quality of life measures were much worse. During the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, several characteristics emerged as risks to report trauma.
Glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis pathway in host genome is associated with Helicobacter pylori infection
Authors: Hu Dingxue , Lu Yueqi , Wang Daoming , Nie Chao , Li Yan
Published: September 2021

Helicobacter pylori is a causative pathogen of many gastric and extra-gastric diseases. It has infected about half of the global population. There were no genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for H. pylori infection conducted in Chinese population, who carried different and relatively homogenous strain of H. pylori. In this work, we performed SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism)-based, gene-based and pathway-based genome-wide association analyses to investigate the genetic basis of host susceptibility to H. pylori infection in 480 Chinese individuals. We also profiled the composition and function of the gut microbiota between H. pylori infection cases and controls. We found several genes and pathways associated with H. pylori infection (P < 0.05), replicated one previously reported SNP rs10004195 in TLR1 gene region (P = 0.02). We also found that glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis related pathway was associated with both onset and progression of H. pylori infection. In the gut microbiome association study, we identified 2 species, 3 genera and several pathways had differential abundance between H. pylori infected cases and controls. This paper is the first GWAS for H. pylori infection in Chinese population, and we combined the genetic and microbial data to comprehensively discuss the basis of host susceptibility to H. pylori infection.
The accuracy of gap and step-off measurements in acetabular fracture treatment
Authors: Meesters A. M. L. , ten Duis K. , Kraeima J. , Banierink H. , Stirler V. M. A. , Wouters P. C. R. , de Vries J. P. P. M. , Witjes M. J. H. , IJpma F. F. A.
Published: September 2021

The assessment of gaps and steps in acetabular fractures is challenging. Data from various imaging techniques to enable accurate quantification of acetabular fracture displacement are limited. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of pelvic radiographs, intraoperative fluoroscopy, and computed tomography (CT) in detecting gaps and step-offs in acetabular fractures. Sixty patients, surgically treated for acetabular fractures, were included. Five observers (5400 measurements) measured the gaps and step-offs on radiographs and CT scans. Intraoperative fluoroscopy images were reassessed for the presence of gaps and/or step-offs. Preoperatively, 25% of the gaps and 40% of the step-offs were undetected on radiographs compared to CT. Postoperatively, 52% of the gaps and 80% of the step-offs were missed on radiographs compared to CT. Radiograph analysis led to a significantly smaller gap and step-off compared to the CT measurements, an underestimation by a factor of two. Approximately 70% of the residual gaps and step-offs was not detected using intraoperative fluoroscopy. Gaps and step-offs that exceed the critical cut-off indicating worse prognosis often remained undetected on radiographs compared to CT scans. Less-experienced observers tend to overestimate gaps and step-offs compared to the more-experienced observers. In acetabular fracture treatment, gaps and step-offs were often undetected and underestimated on radiographs and intraoperative fluoroscopy in comparison with CT scans. This means that CT is superior to radiographs in detecting acetabular fracture displacement, which is clinically relevant for patient counselling regarding treatment decisions and prognosis.
Associations between increased circulating endothelial progenitor cell levels and anxiety/depressive severity, cognitive deficit and function disability among patients with major depressive disorder
Authors: Liou Ying-Jay , Chen Mu-Hong , Hsu Ju-Wei , Huang Kai-Lin , Huang Po-Hsun , Bai Ya-Mei
Published: September 2021

The association of major depressive disorder (MDD) with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) through endothelial dysfunction is bidirectional. Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (cEPCs), essential for endothelial repair and function, are associated with risks of various CVDs. Here, the relationship of cEPC counts with MDD and the related clinical presentations were investigated in 50 patients with MDD and 46 healthy controls. In patients with MDD, a battery of clinical domains was analysed: depressed mood with Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) and Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), anxiety with Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA), cognitive dysfunction and deficit with Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) and Perceived Deficits Questionnaire-Depression (PDQ-D), somatic symptoms with Depressive and Somatic Symptom Scale (DSSS), quality of life with 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) and functional disability with Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS). Immature and mature cEPC counts were measured through flow cytometry. Increased mature and immature cEPC counts were significantly associated with higher anxiety after controlling the confounding effect of systolic blood pressure, and potentially associated with more severe depressive symptoms, worse cognitive performance and increased cognitive deficit, higher social disability, and worse mental health outcomes. Thus, cEPCs might have pleiotropic effects on MDD-associated symptoms and psychosocial outcomes.
Long-term evaluation of treatment protocols for isolated midfacial fractures in a German nation-wide craniomaxillofacial trauma center 2007–2017
Authors: Bonitz Lars , Wruck Vivienne , Peretti Elena , Abel Dietmar , Hassfeld Stefan , Bicsák Ákos
Published: September 2021

An update on the trends in maxillofacial traumatology provides additional information on the actual and changing needs. This retrospective study aimed to review all patient records of patients treated for isolated midface fractures in the Department of Cranial- and Maxillofacial Surgery at the Dortmund General Hospital between 2007 and 2017. The patient radiographs and patient files were reviewed. The safety and efficacy of the applied methods were controlled by assessing complications based on the Clavien-Dindo classification system. The statistical analysis included descriptive methods including regression analysis and χ2-test. In eleven years, 3474 isolated midface fracture sites have been identified in 2868 patients. The yearly trend is slightly increasing, in elderly clearly worsening, in children and youth decreasing. The male-to-female ratio was 2.16:1 for the whole study population, in the age group 18–25 y.o. 6.95:1 while in elderly above 80 y.o. 1:2.51, the age group specific incidence reflects this result, too. The most common fractures were nasal bone fractures (1405), zygomatic fractures (832) and orbital floor fractures (700). The average hospital stay was 2.7 days, the most fractures were operated within 24 h. The complication rate was 2.02% (Clavien-Dindo class II–V). The incidence of midfacial fractures is increasing in the total population and especially in elderly, but decreasing in children. Development of injury prevention measures is needed in this population. The diagnostic and therapeutic procedures are appropriate, as there is a low complication rate and short inpatient stay observed.
Early restrictive fluid balance is associated with lower hospital mortality independent of acute disease severity in critically ill patients on CRRT
Authors: Uusalo Panu , Hellman Tapio , Löyttyniemi Eliisa , Peltoniemi Julia , Järvisalo Mikko J.
Published: September 2021

Fluid overload (FO) with coincident acute kidney injury has been associated with increased mortality. However, it is unclear whether FO is an independent determinant of mortality for disease severity. We aimed to explore whether the development of fluid balance (FB) during the first 72 h of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is independently associated with hospital mortality. All patients admitted to a single centre ICU requiring CRRT for at least 24 h between years 2010–2019 were included. Extracted data included patient demographics and clinical parameters including daily cumulative fluid balance (FBcum), lactate, SOFA score and vasoactive requirement at the initiation and during the first 72 h of CRRT. 399 patients were included in the analysis. Hospital survivors had a significantly lower FBcum at CRRT initiation compared to non-survivors (median 1382 versus 3265 ml; p = 0.003). Hourly fluid balance per bodyweight (FBnet) was lower in survivors at 0–24, 24–48 and 48–72 h after initiation of CRRT (p < 0.008 for all comparisons). In the survival analysis (analyzed with counting process model) significant time-dependent explanatory variables for hospital mortality were FBnet (per ml/kg/h: HR: 1.319, 95% CI 1.038–1.677, p = 0.02), lactate (HR: 1.086, 95% CI 1.030–1.145, p = 0.002) and SOFA score (per ml/kg/h: HR: 1.084, 95% CI 1.025–1.146, p = 0.005) during the first 72 h of CRRT. Even after careful adjustment for repeated measures of disease severity, FBnet during the first 72 h of CRRT remains independently associated with hospital mortality, in critically ill patients with AKI.
Detection of clinically silent brain lesions in [18F]FDG PET/CT study in oncological patients: analysis of over 10,000 studies
Authors: Pietrzak Agata , Marszałek Andrzej , Kunikowska Jolanta , Piotrowski Tomasz , Medak Adrianna , Pietrasz Katarzyna , Wojtowicz Julia , Cholewiński Witold
Published: September 2021

The study aimed to show that including the brain region into the standard 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-d-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ([18F]FDG PET/CT) study protocol may result in detecting clinically silent brain tumours. We retrospectively analyzed the group of 10,378 from the total of 12,011 consecutive patients who underwent the torso and brain [18F]FDG PET/CT scanning, considering an ability of the method to evaluate undetected before brain tumours in patients diagnosed and treated in our institution. While collecting the database, we followed the inclusion criteria: at least 1-year of follow-up, a full medical history collected in our institution, histopathologic examination or other studies available to confirm the type of observed lesion, and the most importantly—no brain lesions reported in the patients’ medical data. In this study, performing the torso and brain [18F]FDG PET/CT imaging helped to detect clinically silent primary and metastatic brain tumours in 129 patients, and the benign lesions in 24 studied cases, in whom no suspicious brain findings were reported prior to the examination. In conclusion, including the brain region into the standard [18F]FDG PET/CT protocol can be considered helpful in detecting clinically silent malignant and benign brain tumours.
HA-MOP knockin mice express the canonical µ-opioid receptor but lack detectable splice variants
Authors: Fritzwanker Sebastian , Moulédous Lionel , Mollereau Catherine , Froment Carine , Burlet-Schiltz Odile , Effah Felix , Bailey Alexis , Spetea Mariana , Reinscheid Rainer K. , Schulz Stefan , Kliewer Andrea
Published: September 2021

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are notoriously difficult to detect in native tissues. In an effort to resolve this problem, we have developed a novel mouse model by fusing the hemagglutinin (HA)-epitope tag sequence to the amino-terminus of the µ-opioid receptor (MOP). Although HA-MOP knock-in mice exhibit reduced receptor expression, we found that this approach allowed for highly efficient immunodetection of low abundant GPCR targets. We also show that the HA-tag facilitates both high-resolution imaging and immunoisolation of MOP. Mass spectrometry (MS) confirmed post-translational modifications, most notably agonist-selective phosphorylation of carboxyl-terminal serine and threonine residues. MS also unequivocally identified the carboxyl-terminal 387LENLEAETAPLP398 motif, which is part of the canonical MOP sequence. Unexpectedly, MS analysis of brain lysates failed to detect any of the 15 MOP isoforms that have been proposed to arise from alternative splicing of the MOP carboxyl-terminus. For quantitative analysis, we performed multiple successive rounds of immunodepletion using the well-characterized rabbit monoclonal antibody UMB-3 that selectively detects the 387LENLEAETAPLP398 motif. We found that >98% of HA-tagged MOP contain the UMB-3 epitope indicating that virtually all MOP expressed in the mouse brain exhibit the canonical amino acid sequence.
Perceived and mentally rotated contents are differentially represented in cortical depth of V1
Authors: Iamshchinina Polina , Kaiser Daniel , Yakupov Renat , Haenelt Daniel , Sciarra Alessandro , Mattern Hendrik , Luesebrink Falk , Duezel Emrah , Speck Oliver , Weiskopf Nikolaus , Cichy Radoslaw Martin
Published: September 2021

Primary visual cortex (V1) in humans is known to represent both veridically perceived external input and internally-generated contents underlying imagery and mental rotation. However, it is unknown how the brain keeps these contents separate thus avoiding a mixture of the perceived and the imagined which could lead to potentially detrimental consequences. Inspired by neuroanatomical studies showing that feedforward and feedback connections in V1 terminate in different cortical layers, we hypothesized that this anatomical compartmentalization underlies functional segregation of external and internally-generated visual contents, respectively. We used high-resolution layer-specific fMRI to test this hypothesis in a mental rotation task. We found that rotated contents were predominant at outer cortical depth bins (i.e. superficial and deep). At the same time perceived contents were represented stronger at the middle cortical bin. These results identify how through cortical depth compartmentalization V1 functionally segregates rather than confuses external from internally-generated visual contents. These results indicate that feedforward and feedback manifest in distinct subdivisions of the early visual cortex, thereby reflecting a general strategy for implementing multiple cognitive functions within a single brain region.
Thermal evolution of NASICON type solid-state electrolytes with lithium at high temperature via in situ scanning electron microscopy
Authors: Kaboli Shirin , Girard Gabriel , Zhu Wen , Gheorghe Nita Alina , Vijh Ashok , George Chandramohan , Trudeau Michel L. , Paolella Andrea
Published: September 2021

This work presents the first in situ SEM study of Li–NASICONS electrolyte interface reactions. We propose the decomposition mechanisms of LATP and LAGP materials in contact with molten Li leading new insights for the design of solid-state batteries.
Dissecting the packing forces in mixed perfluorocarbon/aromatic co-crystals
Authors: Saccone Marco , Pace Andrea , Pibiri Ivana , Cavallo Gabriella , Metrangolo Pierangelo , Pilati Tullio , Resnati Giuseppe , Terraneo Giancarlo
Published: September 2021

The nature and role of non-covalent interactions involving fluorous molecules and aromatic molecules are studied by a combined theoretical/crystallographic approach.
Valence-shell photoelectron circular dichroism of ruthenium(iii)-tris-(acetylacetonato) gas-phase enantiomers
Authors: Darquié Benoît , Saleh Nidal , Tokunaga Sean K. , Srebro-Hooper Monika , Ponzi Aurora , Autschbach Jochen , Decleva Piero , Garcia Gustavo A. , Crassous Jeanne , Nahon Laurent
Published: September 2021

Mirror-image VUV photoelectron circular dichroism spectra (PECD) of the propeller-type chiral Ru(acac)3 enantiomers were measured with asymmetries up to 14%, suggesting that PECD is a universal mechanism, inherent to any type of chirality.
Addressing energy storage needs at lower cost via on-site thermal energy storage in buildings
Authors: Odukomaiya Adewale , Woods Jason , James Nelson , Kaur Sumanjeet , Gluesenkamp Kyle R. , Kumar Navin , Mumme Sven , Jackson Roderick , Prasher Ravi
Published: September 2021

Energy storage needs to support commercial and residential buildings in the U.S. in 2050 for various 100% renewable energy scenarios.
CCL01, a novel formulation composed of Cuscuta seeds and Lactobacillus paracasei NK112, enhances memory function via nerve growth factor-mediated neurogenesis
Authors: Ju In Gyoung , Hong Seong Min , Yun Soo-Won , Huh Eugene , Kim Dong-Hyun , Kim Sun Yeou , Oh Myung Sook
Published: September 2021

CCL01, a novel formulation composed of Cuscuta seeds and Lactobacillus paracasei, enhanced memory function by inducing of the proliferation and differentiation of neural cells and formation of synapse via activation of neurotophin signaling pathway.
Construction and characterization of Juglans regia L. polyphenols nanoparticles based on bovine serum albumin and Hohenbuehelia serotina polysaccharides, and their gastrointestinal digestion and colonic fermentation in vitro
Authors: Li Xiaoyu , Feng Ru , Zhou Peng , Wang Lu , Luo Zhen , An Siying
Published: September 2021

Herein, we report the construction and characterization of nanoparticles based on bovine serum albumin and Hohenbuehelia serotina polysaccharides for the delivery of polyphenols isolated from the shells of Juglans regia L. (BSA-JRP-HSP NPs).
Aqueous CO2fixation: construction of pyridine skeletons in cooperation with ammonium cations
Authors: Xiang Shiqun , Fan Weibin , Zhang Wei , Li Yinghua , Guo Shiwei , Huang Deguang
Published: September 2021

A method is explored for the construction of pyridine skeletons by [2 + 2 + 1 + 1] the cycloaddition of ketones with ammonium cation under a CO2atmosphere. Water was applied as an environmentally friendly solvent.
Oriented collagen films with high Young's modulus by self-assembly on micrometer grooved polydimethylsiloxane
Authors: Aizawa Miho , Nakamura Hirona , Matsumoto Kohsuke , Oguma Takahiro , Shishido Atsushi
Published: September 2021

We report on the fabrication of oriented collagen films by drying a dilute collagen solution on a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate with a micrometer grooved surface.
Maternal serum lipidomics identifies lysophosphatidic acid as a predictor of small for gestational age neonates
Authors: Byeon Seul Kee , Khanam Rasheda , Rahman Sayedur , Hasan Tarik , Rizvi Syed Jafar Raza , Madugundu Anil K. , Ramarajan Madan Gopal , Jung Jae Hun , Chowdhury Nabidul H. , Ahmed Salahuddin , Raqib Rubhana , Kim Kwang Pyo , Piazza Amy L. , Rinaldo Piero , Pandey Akhilesh , Baqui Abdullah H. , AMANHI Bio-banking Study Group
Published: September 2021

Lysophosphatidic acid was found to be decreased in mothers who subsequently delivered small for gestational age neonates during 24–28 weeks of pregnancy while it was increased in mothers who delivered control neonates.
Anisotropic Rashba splitting in Pt-based Janus monolayers PtXY (X,Y = S, Se, or Te)
Authors: Sino Paul Albert L. , Feng Liang-Ying , Villaos Rovi Angelo B. , Cruzado Harvey N. , Huang Zhi-Quan , Hsu Chia-Hsiu , Chuang Feng-Chuan
Published: September 2021

Stability and electronic properties of 2D Pt-based Janus TMD monolayers with broken centrosymmetry in the crystal structure are demonstrated. The SOC-induced anisotropic Rashba and Dresselhaus splitting is present near the Fermi level.
Mechanistic insights into the anisotropic growth of ZnO nanoparticles deciphered through 2D size plots and multivariate analysis
Authors: Zhao Zhihua , Wang Yinping , Delmas Céline , Mingotaud Christophe , Marty Jean-Daniel , Kahn Myrtil L.
Published: September 2021

The control and understanding of the nucleation and growth of nano-objects are key points for improving and/or considering the new applications of a given material at the nanoscale.
Synthesis of biologically active silver nanoparticles using N-containing compounds: the dual role of semicarbazones
Authors: Joshi Prasad G. , More Minakshi S. , Bisht Neha , Phalswal Priyanka , Dhapte-Pawar Vividha , Khanna Pawan K.
Published: September 2021

Semicarbazone-type Schiff bases have been demonstrated to play an important role in the synthesis of metal nanoparticles by an easy, simple and convenient protocol. The chosen semicarbazones act as reducing as well as capping agents.
Synthesis of hierarchical ZSM-5 nano-aggregated microspheres for application in enhancing the stability of n-hexane aromatization
Authors: Wang Jinshan , Liu Cun , Zhu Peng , Liu Haiou , Zhang Xiongfu , Zhang Yuan , Liu Junxia , Zhang Liang , Zhang Wei
Published: September 2021

Hierarchical ZSM-5 nano-aggregated microspheres were directly synthesized without any mesoporous templates and exhibited improved catalytic stability in n-hexane aromatization.
A highly selective AIEgen fluorescent probe for visualizing Cys in living cells andC. elegans
Authors: Ye Ya-Xi , Yu Ya-Wen , Xu Zhu-Min , Chen Xin-Yue , Wang Zhong-Chang , Wang Bao-Zhong , Jiao Qing-Cai , Zhu Hai-Liang
Published: September 2021

As essential biological thiols in organisms, Cys, Hcy, and GSH are closely related to each other, and they can be involved in various pathological processes if expression levels are abnormal.
NHC ligand-based half-sandwich iridium complexes: synthesis, structure and catalytic activity in acceptorless dehydrogenation and transfer hydrogenation
Authors: Li Rong-Jian , Wang Yang , Jin Yan , Deng Wei , Liu Zhen-Jiang , Yao Zi-Jian
Published: September 2021

Half-sandwich iridium complexes exhibited high catalytic activity for acceptorless dehydrogenation of alcohols and transfer hydrogenation of ketones.
Reduction in magnetic coercivity of Co nanomagnets by Fe alloying
Authors: Yang Hung-Hsiang , Hsu Chuan-Che , Asakawa Kanta , Lin Wen-Chin , Hasegawa Yukio
Published: September 2021

The coercivity of Co–Fe alloy nanomagnets is significantly reduced to ∼40% of that of pure Co, which leads to smaller magnetic anisotropy energy in the Co–Fe nanomagnets.
Retraction: Polymer nanodots of graphitic carbon nitride as effective fluorescent probes for the detection of Fe3+ and Cu2+ ions
Authors: Zhang Shouwei , Li Jiaxing , Zeng Meiyi , Xu Jinzhang , Wang Xiangke , Hu Wenping
Published: September 2021

Retraction of ‘Polymer nanodots of graphitic carbon nitride as effective fluorescent probes for the detection of Fe3+ and Cu2+ ions’ by Shouwei Zhang et al., Nanoscale, 2014, 6, 4157–4162, DOI: 10.1039/C3NR06744K.
Electrochemical investigation of structurally varied azinium scaffolds
Authors: Rak Kamil , Klikar Milan , Burešová Zuzana , Mazúr Petr , Mikešová Michaela , Kvíčala Jaroslav , Bureš Filip
Published: September 2021

Structurally varied (di)azines for redox-flow batteries and their fundamental electrochemical properties have been investigated.
Pressure-dependent modifications in the optical and electronic properties of Fe(IO3)3: the role of Fe 3d and I 5p lone–pair electrons
Authors: Liang Akun , Rodriguez-Hernandez Placida , Muñoz Alfonso , Rahman Saqib , Segura Alfredo , Errandonea Daniel
Published: September 2021

The electronic and transport properties of Fe(IO3)3 have been characterized under compression. A nice correlation of bandgaps of iodates to orbital configuration is proposed giving an explanation for the 2.1 eV bandgap of Fe(IO3)3.
Heterogeneous interface design of bimetallic selenide nanoboxes enables stable sodium storage
Authors: Zhang Yawei , Zhong Wei , Tan Pingping , Niu Yubin , Zhang Xuan , Xu Maowen
Published: September 2021

The heterostructure SnSe2/CoSe2 core encapsulated in a carbon nanobox shell guarantees the structural stability and further ensures stable high performance for sodium ion batteries.
Methane hydrate formation behaviors in high water-cut oil-in-water systems with hydrate promoters
Authors: Kele Yan , Yuemeng Ren , Cheng Lv , Anshan Xiao , Xiaofang Lv
Published: September 2021

The gas consumption was the highest in both systems (0.5% Span20 +0.05% SDS) and (0.5% Span20 + 0.5% l-l), indicating that the two systems had a faster hydrate formation rate.
Rapid mapping of the IAA in leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana using a simple paper-based electroanalytical device coupled with microsampling
Authors: Sun Ling , Yang Zhengfei , Li Hao , Lan Xiran , Tang Yishun , Liu Wu , Zhu Xinyu , Bao Ning , Sun Lijun
Published: September 2021

To deeply investigate the pivotal roles of Auxin (mainly indole-3-acetic acid, IAA), it is essential to obtain the contents of IAA in different locations of plants.
Ethylene glycol nanofluids dispersed with monolayer graphene oxide nanosheet for high-performance subzero cold thermal energy storage
Authors: Zhang Jingyi , Fu Benwei , Song Chengyi , Shang Wen , Tao Peng , Deng Tao
Published: September 2021

Homogeneously dispersed monolayer graphene oxide sheet in ethylene glycol solution enable a high-performance cold thermal energy storage.
Morphology control and interface characteristics of well-dispersed nanomaterials in K-ion batteries
Authors: Wang Shuya , Zheng Hong , Yang Yangyang , Liu Chao , Pan Zhifei , Zhuang Quanchao
Published: September 2021

Schematic illustration of the volume change of the KMnF3 cathode during the charge/discharge process.
Phyto-inspired Cu/Bi oxide-based nanocomposites: synthesis, characterization, and energy relevant investigation
Authors: Azhar Sundus , Ahmad Khuram Shahzad , Abrahams Isaac , Lin Wang , Gupta Ram K. , Mazhar Muhammad , Ali Daoud
Published: September 2021

Spherical-shaped CuO–Bi2O3 electrode material and its electrochemical studies.
Facile synthesis of nitrogen-defective g-C3N4 for superior photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B
Authors: Yang Xiupei , Zhang Lin , Wang Dan , Zhang Qian , Zeng Jie , Zhang Run
Published: September 2021

Nitrogen-defective g-C3N4 is synthesized and characterized as the photocatalyst for degradation of organic dyes, such as rhodamine B, in wastewater.
A novel LaFeO3 catalyst synthesized from sodium diethylenetriamine pentamethylene phosphonate for degradation of diclofenac through peroxymonosulfate activation: degradation pathways and mechanism study
Authors: Ning Shuaiqi , Mao Shuai , Liu Chun , Xia Mingzhu , Wang Fengyun
Published: September 2021

A series of LaFeO3 catalysts were prepared using the sol–gel method with sodium diethylenetriamine pentamethylene phosphonate as the complexing agent and were applied to activate PMS to produce active oxides to degrade DCF.
Mechanically induced single-molecule helicity switching of graphene-nanoribbon-fused helicene on Au(111)
Authors: Ishii Ayumu , Shiotari Akitoshi , Sugimoto Yoshiaki
Published: September 2021

Graphene nanoribbon-fused helicene was fabricated via on-surface synthesis. The helicity of the product was reversibly switchable by pushing a CO-terminated scanning-probe-microscopy tip into the protruding helical terminal.
Exploring the role of Muscovite in poly(alkyl methacrylate)-based ternary nanocomposite cryogels with selective functional groups: formation via cryogelling with the aid of inorganic clay
Authors: Okten Besli Nur Sena , Orakdogen Nermin
Published: September 2021

Designing a new type of nanocomposite cryogel from poly(alkyl methacrylate) based terpolymer/muscovite bearing hydroxyl and tertiary amine functional groups.
Influence of medium structure on the physicochemical properties of aging colloidal dispersions investigated using the synthetic clay LAPONITE®
Authors: Misra Chandeshwar , Ranganathan Venketesh T. , Bandyopadhyay Ranjini
Published: September 2021

The role of medium structure on the aging dynamics of hectorite clay minerals is studied. The more structured the dispersion medium, the faster the aging. Furthermore, stronger the electrostatic interactions, weaker is the role of the medium structure.
DNA-assisted assembly of cationic gold nanoparticles: Monte Carlo simulation
Authors: de Izarra Ambroise , Jang Yun Hee , Lansac Yves
Published: September 2021

DNA-assisted assembly of ligand-stabilized gold nanoparticles is studied by using Monte Carlo simulations with coarse-grained models for DNA and nanoparticles.
Catalytic conversion of NO and CO into N2 and CO2 by rhodium–aluminum oxides in the gas phase
Authors: Chen Jiao-Jiao , Li Xiao-Na , Mou Li-Hui , Liu Qing-Yu , He Sheng-Gui
Published: September 2021

The catalytic conversion of NO and CO into N2 and CO2 mediated by gas-phase rhodium-aluminum oxides (RhAlO0–3 and RhAl2O1–4) has been identified. The polarized Rh–Al bond in the reactive systems is required to catalyze NO reduction by CO.
Building carbon cloth-based dendrite-free potassium metal anodes for potassium metal pouch cells
Authors: Qiao Fan , Meng Jiashen , Wang Junjun , Wu Peijie , Xu Dawei , An Qinyou , Wang Xuanpeng , Mai Liqiang
Published: September 2021

An effective strategy for dendrite-free K metal anodes is developed. The prepared K-CC@SnO2 anode shows dendrite-free morphology. The PTCDI‖K-CC@SnO2 pouch cell exhibits long cycling performance (500 cycles) and an energy density of 274 W h kg−1.
Role of Voice Therapy in Adherence to Voice Rest After Office-Based Vocal Fold Procedures
Authors: King Renee E. , Dailey Seth H. , Thibeault Susan L.
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Patients undergoing vocal fold procedures significantly reduce but often do not cease voice use during absolute postprocedure voice rest. We hypothesized that patients who completed preprocedure voice therapy would increase adherence to postprocedure voice rest.

Method

Eighty-six participants completed this prospective cohort study. Patients scheduled for office-based vocal fold procedures, 1–3 days of absolute postprocedure voice rest, and preprocedure speech-language pathology (SLP) care were recruited. SLP care consisted of either (a) multiple voice therapy sessions, (b) one counseling/therapy session, or (c) voice evaluation only. Participants reported talking and other specific voice behaviors on 100-mm visual analog scales for up to 3 days pre- and postprocedure as well as changes in overall voice use at follow-up at least 1 week postprocedure.

Results

Talking decreased postprocedure by 63% in the therapy group and 65% in the counseling group, both significantly more than the 35% decrease measured in the evaluation group. There were group differences in talking at baseline but not during voice rest. Coughing and throat clearing were highest in the voice evaluation group and decreased less than talking during voice rest. At follow-up, 84% of participants reported that they completed voice rest for at least as long as recommended and 39.5% reported that they never used their voices during voice rest. Participants estimated a 98% overall reduction in voice use during voice rest at follow-up.

Conclusions

Voice use before and after vocal fold procedures varies by participation in preprocedure voice therapy. Patients significantly decrease talking during postprocedure voice rest but are not perfectly adherent. Communicative voice use decreases more than noncommunicative voice use during voice rest. Patients may overestimate adherence to voice rest at follow-up.

Supplemental Material

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.16589864
A multi‐objective method for virtual machines allocation in cloud data centres using an improved grey wolf optimization algorithm
Authors: Hashemi Masoud , Javaheri Danial , Sabbagh Parisa , Arandian Behdad , Abnoosian Karlo
Published: September 2021

Cloud computing is a rapidly evolving computational technology. It is a distributed computational system that offers dynamically scaled computational resources, such as processing power, storage, and applications, delivered as a service through the Internet. Virtual machines (VMs) allocation is known as one of the most significant problems in cloud computing. It aims to find a suitable location for VMs on physical machines (PMs) to attain predefined aims. So, the main purpose is to reduce energy consumption and improve resource utilization. Because the VM allocation issue is NP‐hard, meta‐heuristic and heuristic methods are frequently utilized to address it. This paper presents an energy‐aware VM allocation method using the improved grey wolf optimization (IGWO) algorithm. Our key goals are to decrease both energy consumption and allocation time. The simulation outcomes from the MATLAB simulator approve the excellence of the algorithm compared to previous works.