bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic Accuracy of the Triglyceride and Glucose Index for Insulin Resistance: A Systematic Review
Authors: Sánchez-García Adriana , Rodríguez-Gutiérrez René , Mancillas-Adame Leonardo , González-Nava Victoria , Díaz González-Colmenero Alejandro , Solis Ricardo Cesar , Álvarez-Villalobos Neri Alejandro , González-González José Gerardo
Published: March 2020

Introduction. The triglyceride and glucose (TyG) index has been described as a biochemical marker of insulin resistance (IR); however, its diagnostic accuracy remains uncertain. Objective. To summarize the evidence assessing the diagnostic accuracy of the TyG index regarding IR. Methods. A comprehensive search in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus was performed without any language restriction. Studies assessing the diagnostic accuracy of the TyG index against the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp (HIEC) or any other IR biochemical were assessed independently and in duplicate. Diagnostic accuracy measures (sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and likelihood ratios) were extracted independently and in duplicate. The QUADAS-2 tool was used to assess the risk of bias of independent studies. Results. We identified 15 eligible studies with 69,922 participants and an overall quality of low to moderate. The TyG index was evaluated by HIEC and HOMA as reference tests. The highest achieved sensitivity was 96% using HIEC, and the highest specificity was of 99% using HOMA-IR, with a cutoff value of 4.68. AUC values varied from 0.59 to 0.88. Cutoff values for IR were variable between studies, limiting its comparability. Conclusion. In this systematic review, we found moderate-to-low quality evidence about the usefulness of the TyG index as a surrogate biochemical marker of IR. Due to the lack of a standardized IR definition and heterogeneity between studies, further validation and standardized cutoff values are needed to be used in clinical practice.
The Synergistic Antitumor Effect of Tanshinone IIA Plus Adriamycin on Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Xenograft in BALB/C Nude Mice and Their Influences on Cytochrome P450 CYP3A4 In Vivo
Authors: Liu Tao-Li , Zhang Li-Na , Gu Yue-Yu , Lin Mei-Gui , Xie Jun , Chen Yu-ling , Liu Jia-Hui , Wu Xin-Lin , Mo Sui-Lin
Published: March 2020

Objective. Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most common diseases that seriously threaten human life and health. In this study, we evaluated the inhibitory effect of tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA) combined with adriamycin (ADM) on human hepatocellular carcinoma and developed a platform to assess the function if Chinese herbal ingredients combined with chemotherapy drugs have synergistic antitumor effects in vivo. Methods. Established animal model of human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cell in nude mice. Mice were divided into model control group, Tan IIA group, ADM group, and Tan IIA + ADM group. The changes from general condition, weight, tumor volume, and inhibition rate were observed. The data were gathered from serum AST level and histopathological changes. The content and activity of cytochrome P450 were determined by spectrophotometric analysis. CYP3A4 protein expression was analyzed by western blotting. The binding model crystal structure of Tan IIA and ADM with pregnane X receptor (PXR) was evaluated by Discovery Studio 2.1. Results. A combination of Tan IIA with ADM could improve life quality by relieving ADM toxicity, decreasing tumor volume, declining serum AST level, and improving liner pathological section in tumor-bearing mice. The inhibitory rates of Tan IIA, ADM, and cotreatment were 32.77%, 60.96%, and 73.18%, respectively. The Tan IIA group significantly enhanced the content of cytochrome b5, P450, and erythromycin-N-demethylase activity. CYP3A4 protein expression was enhanced obviously by the Tan IIA + ADM group. Virtual molecular docking showed that both Tan IIA and ADM could be stably docked with the same binding site of PXR but different interactions. Conclusions. Tan IIA in combination with ADM could improve the life quality in tumor-bearing mice and enhance the antitumor effect. The Tan IIA group increased the concentration of cytochrome P450 enzymes and activity. Combined Tan IIA with ADM could upregulate the CYP3A4 protein expression and make relevant interaction with protein PXR by virtual docking.
Biochemical Characteristics of Bone Mineral Metabolism before and throughout the First Year after Kidney Transplantation, Persistent Hyperparathyroidism, and Risk Factors in a Latin Population
Authors: Balcázar-Hernández Lourdes , Vargas-Ortega Guadalupe , González-Virla Baldomero , Cruz-López Martha , Rodríguez-Gómez Raúl , Espinoza-Pérez Ramón , Cuevas-García Carlos , Mendoza-Zubieta Victoria
Published: March 2020

Bone mineral metabolism disease, which included persistent hyperparathyroidism, is common after successful kidney transplantation (KT) and is related with negative outcomes in kidney transplant recipients. There is a lack of information about bone mineral metabolism, persistent hyperparathyroidism, and its risk factors in Latin kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). Material and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in 74 patients aged 18–50 years with evolution of 12 months after KT and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) >60 ml/min; biochemical data of bone mineral metabolism before and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months of KT were registered. Results. Age was 33 (IQR 27–37) years; 54% (n = 40) were men. Before KT, all patients had hyperparathyroidism, 40% (n = 30) hypocalcemia, 86% (n = 64) hyperphosphatemia, and 42% (n = 31) hyperphosphatasemia. After KT, an increase of calcium and a diminution of PTH, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase were corroborated (p=0.001). All patients had hypovitaminosis D (deficiency: 91% (n = 67); insufficiency: 9% (n = 7)); 40% (n = 30) had persistent hyperparathyroidism at 12 months. Hyperphosphatasemia before KT (OR = 4.17 (95% CI: 1.21–14.44); p=0.04), hyperparathyroidism at 6 months (OR = 1.84 (95% CI; 1.67–2.06); p=0.02), hypovitaminosis D at 6 months (OR = 3.94 (95% CI: 1.86–17.9); p=0.01), and hyperphosphatasemia at 6 months (OR = 1.47 (95% CI: 1.07–2.86); p=0.03) were risk factors for persistent hyperparathyroidism at 12 months after KT. Conclusion. Persistent hyperparathyroidism at 6 months, hypovitaminosis D, and hyperphosphatasemia are risk factors for persistent hyperparathyroidism at 1 year of KT in Latin population.
Five Shades of Grey: Exploring Quintary m-Sequences for More User-Friendly c-VEP-Based BCIs
Authors: Gembler Felix W. , Rezeika Aya , Benda Mihaly , Volosyak Ivan
Published: March 2020

Responsive EEG-based communication systems have been implemented with brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) based on code-modulated visual evoked potentials (c-VEPs). The BCI targets are typically encoded with binary m-sequences because of their autocorrelation property; the digits one and zero correspond to different target colours (usually black and white), which are updated every frame according to the code. While binary flickering patterns enable high communication speeds, they are perceived as annoying by many users. Quintary (base 5) m-sequences, where the five digits correspond to different shades of grey, may yield a more subtle visual stimulation. This study explores two approaches to reduce the flickering sensation: (1) adjusting the flickering speed via refresh rates and (2) applying quintary codes. In this respect, six flickering modalities are tested using an eight-target spelling application: binary patterns and quintary patterns generated with 60, 120, and 240 Hz refresh rates. This study was conducted with 18 nondisabled participants. For all six flickering modalities, a copy-spelling task was conducted. According to questionnaire results, most users favoured the proposed quintary over the binary pattern while achieving similar performance to it (no statistical differences between the patterns were found). Mean accuracies across participants were above 95%, and information transfer rates were above 55 bits/min for all patterns and flickering speeds.
Structural Model for Estimating the Influence of Healthy Lifestyle on Episodic Memory in Adults with Subjective Memory Complaints
Authors: Li Shijie , Tang Yongchuan
Published: March 2020

The aim of this study is to examine the relationships between a healthy lifestyle and episodic memory among adults with subjective memory complaints (SMCs). We proposed a structure equation model to study the association between a healthy lifestyle and episodic memory with an investigation covering 309 participants over 50 years old with SMCs. The model showed a good fit after being adjusted (p = 0.054, goodness of fit index = 0.981, adjusted goodness of fit index = 0.956, comparative fit index = 0.981, and root mean square error of approximation = 0.049): a healthy lifestyle has a direct positive effect on episodic memory among adults with SMCs (β = 0.60). The research model provides possible guidelines for medical staff to prevent the cognitive function decline in the risk population of Alzheimer’s disease.
Erchen Decoction Mitigates Lipid Metabolism Disorder by the Regulation of PPARγ and LPL Gene in a High‐Fat Diet C57BL/6 Mice Model
Authors: Zhang Mengting , Shao Yanfei , Gao Bizhen , Chen Jicheng , Zhang Ping , Hu Yujie , Ding Shanshan
Published: March 2020

Erchen decoction (ECD) is a common treatment prescribed in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinics, which has remarkable efficacy in the treatment of obesity, fatty liver, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and other diseases caused by phlegm. In this study, we investigated the effect that ECD had on the lipid metabolism induced by high‐fat diet in C57BL/6 mice. Body weight, body length, and abdominal circumference were detected. Blood lipid content was measured via biochemical assay kit. The gene and protein expression of PPARγ and LPL in visceral fat and skeletal muscle of mice was measured by real‐time PCR and western blot. The research discovered that the phlegm‐resolving effect that ECD had on high‐fat diet mice was mainly manifested as reduced body weight, Lee’s index, abdominal circumference, and level of TG and TC. Meanwhile, we observed significantly increased PPARγ mRNA and protein level in visceral fat and PPARγ and LPL protein level in skeletal muscle in the ECD group. Contrarily, a decrease in PPARγ mRNA level in skeletal muscle in the ECD group was observed. Therefore, we speculate that ECD regulates the lipid metabolic disorder by decreasing the blood lipid level. Moreover, the potential molecular mechanism of ECD is to promote the expression of PPARγ in visceral fat and skeletal muscle and the expression of LPL in skeletal muscle.
Efficacy of Combination Therapies on Neck Pain and Muscle Tenderness in Male Patients with Upper Trapezius Active Myofascial Trigger Points
Authors: Alghadir Ahmad H. , Iqbal Amir , Anwer Shahnawaz , Iqbal Zaheen A. , Ahmed Hashim
Published: March 2020

Myofascial pain syndrome, thought to be the main cause of neck pain and shoulder muscle tenderness in the working population, is characterized by myofascial trigger points (MTrPs). This study aimed to examine the immediate and short‐term effect of the combination of two therapeutic techniques for improving neck pain and muscle tenderness in male patients with upper trapezius active MTrPs. This study was a pretest‐posttest single‐blinded randomized controlled trial. Sixty male subjects with mechanical neck pain due to upper trapezius active MTrPs were recruited and randomly allocated into group A, which received muscle energy technique (MET) and ischemic compression technique (ICT) along with conventional intervention; group B, which received all the interventions of group A except ICT; and group C, which received conventional treatment only. Baseline (Pr), immediate postintervention (Po), and 2‐week follow‐up (Fo) measurements were made for all variables. Pain intensity and pressure pain threshold (PPT) were assessed by a visual analog scale (VAS) and pressure threshold meter, respectively. All the three groups received their defined intervention plans only. Repeated‐measures analysis of variance was used to perform intra‐ and intergroup analyses. Cohen’s d test was used to assess the effect size of the applied interventions within the groups. The intergroup analysis revealed significant differences among groups A, B, and C in VAS and PPT at Po (VAS‐Po: F = 13.88, p = 0.0001; PPT‐Po: F = 17.17, p = 0.0001) and even after 2 weeks of follow‐up (VAS‐Fo: F = 222.35, p = 0.0001; PPT‐Fo: F = 147.70, p = 0.0001). Cohen’s d revealed a significant treatment effect size within all groups except group C (only significant for VAS‐Po–VAS‐Pr: mean difference = 1.33, p < 0.05, d = 1.09); however, it showed a maximum effect size in group A for its variables (VAS‐Fo–VAS‐Pr: mean difference = 5.27, p = 0.01, d = 4.04; PPT‐Fo–PPT‐Pr: mean difference = 2.14, p < 0.01, d = 3.89). Combination therapies (MET plus ICT) showed immediate and short‐term (2‐week follow‐up) improvements in neck pain and muscle tenderness in male patients with upper trapezius active MTrPs.
Possible Epigenetic Role of Vitexin in Regulating Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Yahaya M. A. F. , Zolkiffly S. Z. I. , Moklas M. A. M. , Hamid H. Abdul , Stanslas J. , Zainol M. , Mehat M. Z.
Published: March 2020

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has been clinically characterized by a progressive degeneration of neurons which resulted in a gradual and irreversible cognitive impairment. The accumulation of Aβandτproteins in the brain contribute to the severity of the disease. Recently, vitexin compound has been the talk amongst researchers due to its pharmacological properties as anti-inflammation and anti-AD. However, the epigenetic mechanism of the compound in regulating the neuroinflammation activity is yet to be fully elucidated. Hence, this review discusses the potential of vitexin compound to have the pharmacoepigenetic property in regulating the neuroinflammation activity in relation to AD. It is with hope that the review would unveil the potential of vitexin as the candidate in treating AD.
Design Methodology of Conical Section Shape for Supercavitating Vehicles considering Auto-Oscillation Characteristics
Authors: Li Daijin , Li Fengjie , Qin Kan , Huang Chuang , Luo Kai
Published: March 2020

Due to the complexity of the cavity/vehicle and oscillation characteristics, streamlined shape integrated design of conventional fully wetted vehicles is not suitable for supercavitating vehicles. In this paper, a set of design criteria is highlighted to optimize the length and streamlined shape of a conical section subjected to realistic design constraints, which integrate the complex characteristics of the cavity/vehicle system under the condition of auto-oscillation of supercavitating vehicles. The auto-oscillation and its time-domain characteristics are determined. By deriving the equation describing the cavity/vehicle relationship and identifying the maximum amplitude of the Euler angle, the cavity/vehicle tangent point criterion is proposed to determine the theoretical optimum value of the length of the conical section. A method of equal cross-sectional area for gas flow is proposed to design the streamlined shape of the conical section. Water tunnel and autonomous flight experiments were carried out to validate the feasibility of the design methodology developed in this work.
IL33 Is a Key Driver of Treatment Resistance of Cancer
Authors: Kudo-Saito Chie , Miyamoto Takahiro , Imazeki Hiroshi , Shoji Hirokazu , Aoki Kazunori , Boku Narikazu
Published: March 2020

Recurrence and treatment resistance are major causes of cancer-associated death. There has been a growing interest in better understanding epithelial–mesenchymal transition, stemness of cancer cells, and exhaustion and dysfunction of the immune system for which numerous genomic, proteomic, microenvironmental, and immunologic mechanisms have been demonstrated. However, practical treatments for such patients have not yet been established. Here we identified IL33 as a key driver of polyploidy, followed by rapid proliferation after treatment. IL33 induction transformed tumor cells into polyploid giant cells, showing abnormal cell cycle without cell division accompanied by Snail deregulation and p53 inactivation; small progeny cells were generated in response to treatment stress. Simultaneously, soluble IL33 was released from tumor cells, leading to expansion of receptor ST2-expressing cells including IL17RB+GATA3+ cells, which promoted tumor progression and metastasis directly and indirectly via induction of immune exhaustion and dysfunction. Blocking IL33 with a specific mAb in murine IL33+ metastatic tumor models abrogated negative consequences and successfully elicited antitumor efficacy induced by other combined treatments. Ex vivo assays using tumor tissues and peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with cancer validated the clinical relevancy of these findings. Together, these data suggest that targeting the IL33-ST2 axis is a promising strategy for diagnosis and treatment of patients likely to be resistant to treatments in the clinical settings.

Significance:

These findings indicate that the functional role of IL33 in cancer polyploidy contributes to intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms underlying treatment failure.
Blockade of β-Catenin–Induced CCL28 Suppresses Gastric Cancer Progression via Inhibition of Treg Cell Infiltration
Authors: Ji Lu , Qian Wei , Gui Liming , Ji Zhongzhong , Yin Pan , Lin Guan Ning , Wang You , Ma Bin , Gao Wei-Qiang
Published: March 2020

Dysregulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling is frequently observed in human gastric cancer. Elucidation of the tumor immune microenvironment is essential for understanding tumorigenesis and for the development of immunotherapeutic strategies. However, it remains unclear how β-catenin signaling regulates the tumor immune microenvironment in the stomach. Here, we identify CCL28 as a direct transcriptional target gene of β-catenin/T-cell factor (TCF). Protein levels of β-catenin and CCL28 positively correlated in human gastric adenocarcinoma. β-Catenin–activated CCL28 recruited regulatory T (Treg) cells in a transwell migration assay. In a clinically relevant mouse gastric cancer model established by Helicobacter (H.) felis infection and N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) treatment, inhibition of β-catenin/TCF activity by a pharmacologic inhibitor iCRT14 suppressed CCL28 expression and Treg cell infiltration in the stomach. Moreover, an anti-CCL28 antibody attenuated Treg cell infiltration and tumor progression in H. felis/MNU mouse models. Diphtheria toxin–induced Treg cell ablation restrained gastric cancer progression in H. felis/MNU-treated DEREG (Foxp3-DTR) mice, clarifying the tumor-promoting role of Treg cells. Thus, the β-catenin–CCL28–Treg cell axis may serve as an important mechanism for immunosuppression of the stomach tumor microenvironment. Our findings reveal an immunoregulatory role of β-catenin signaling in stomach tumors and highlight the therapeutic potential of CCL28 blockade for the treatment of gastric cancer.

Significance:

These findings demonstrate an immunosuppressive role of tumor-intrinsic β-catenin signaling and the therapeutic potential of CCL28 blockade in gastric cancer.
Small-Cell Carcinoma of the Ovary, Hypercalcemic Type–Genetics, New Treatment Targets, and Current Management Guidelines
Authors: Tischkowitz Marc , Huang Sidong , Banerjee Susana , Hague Jennifer , Hendricks William P.D. , Huntsman David G. , Lang Jessica D. , Orlando Krystal A. , Oza Amit M. , Pautier Patricia , Ray-Coquard Isabelle , Trent Jeffrey M. , Witcher Michael , Witkowski Leora , McCluggage W. Glenn , Levine Douglas A. , Foulkes William D. , Weissman Bernard E.
Published: March 2020

Small-cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcemic type (SCCOHT) is a rare and highly aggressive ovarian malignancy. In almost all cases, it is associated with somatic and often germline pathogenic variants in SMARCA4, which encodes for the SMARCA4 protein (BRG1), a subunit of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex. Approximately 20% of human cancers possess pathogenic variants in at least one SWI/SNF subunit. Because of their role in regulating many important cellular processes including transcriptional control, DNA repair, differentiation, cell division, and DNA replication, SWI/SNF complexes with mutant subunits are thought to contribute to cancer initiation and progression. Fewer than 500 cases of SCCOHT have been reported in the literature and approximately 60% are associated with hypercalcemia. SCCOHT primarily affects females under 40 years of age who usually present with symptoms related to a pelvic mass. SCCOHT is an aggressive cancer, with long-term survival rates of 30% in early-stage cases. Although various treatment approaches have been proposed, there is no consensus on surveillance and therapeutic strategy. An international group of multidisciplinary clinicians and researchers recently formed the International SCCOHT Consortium to evaluate current knowledge and propose consensus surveillance and therapeutic recommendations, with the aim of improving outcomes. Here, we present an overview of the genetics of this cancer, provide updates on new treatment targets, and propose management guidelines for this challenging cancer.
Integrative Omics Analysis Reveals Soluble Cadherin-3 as a Survival Predictor and an Early Monitoring Marker of EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Therapy in Lung Cancer
Authors: Hsiao Ting-Feng , Wang Chih-Liang , Wu Yi-Cheng , Feng Hsiang-Pu , Chiu Yen-Chuan , Lin Hao-Yu , Liu Ko-Jiunn , Chang Gee-Chen , Chien Kun-Yi , Yu Jau-Song , Yu Chia-Jung
Published: March 2020

Purpose:

EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKI) benefit patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma (ADC) harboring activating EGFR mutations. We aimed to identify biomarkers to monitor and predict the progression of patients receiving EGFR-TKIs via a comprehensive omic analysis.

Experimental Design:

We applied quantitative proteomics to generate the TKI resistance–associated pleural effusion (PE) proteome from patients with ADC with or without EGFR-TKI resistance. Candidates were selected from integrated genomic and proteomic datasets. The PE (n = 33) and serum (n = 329) levels of potential biomarkers were validated with ELISAs. Western blotting was applied to detect protein expression in tissues, PEs, and a cell line. Gene knockdown, TKI treatment, and proliferation assays were used to determine EGFR-TKI sensitivity. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were assessed to evaluate the prognostic values of the potential biomarkers.

Results:

Fifteen proteins were identified as potential biomarkers of EGFR-TKI resistance. Cadherin-3 (CDH3) was overexpressed in ADC tissues compared with normal tissues. CDH3 knockdown enhanced EGFR-TKI sensitivity in ADC cells. The PE level of soluble CDH3 (sCDH3) was increased in patients with resistance. The altered sCDH3 serum level reflected the efficacy of EGFR-TKI after 1 month of treatment (n = 43). Baseline sCDH3 was significantly associated with PFS and OS in patients with ADC after EGFR-TKI therapy (n = 76). Moreover, sCDH3 was positively associated with tumor stage in non–small cell lung cancer (n = 272).

Conclusions:

We provide useful marker candidates for drug resistance studies. sCDH3 is a survival predictor and real-time indicator of treatment efficacy in patients with ADC treated with EGFR-TKIs.
A Randomized Phase II Preoperative Study of Autophagy Inhibition with High-Dose Hydroxychloroquine and Gemcitabine/Nab-Paclitaxel in Pancreatic Cancer Patients
Authors: Zeh Herbert J. , Bahary Nathan , Boone Brian A. , Singhi Aatur D. , Miller-Ocuin Jennifer Lee , Normolle Daniel P. , Zureikat Amer H. , Hogg Melissa E. , Bartlett David L. , Lee Kenneth K. , Tsung Allan , Marsh J. Wallis , Murthy Pranav , Tang Daolin , Seiser Natalie , Amaravadi Ravi K. , Espina Virginia , Liotta Lance , Lotze Michael T.
Published: March 2020

Purpose:

We hypothesized that autophagy inhibition would increase response to chemotherapy in the preoperative setting for patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. We performed a randomized controlled trial to assess the autophagy inhibitor hydroxychloroquine in combination with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel.

Patients and Methods:

Participants with potentially resectable tumors were randomized to two cycles of nab-paclitaxel and gemcitabine (PG) alone or with hydroxychloroquine (PGH), followed by resection. The primary endpoint was histopathologic response in the resected specimen. Secondary clinical endpoints included serum CA 19-9 biomarker response and margin negative R0 resection. Exploratory endpoints included markers of autophagy, immune infiltrate, and serum cytokines.

Results:

Thirty-four patients in the PGH arm and 30 in the PG arm were evaluable for the primary endpoint. The PGH arm demonstrated statistically improved Evans grade histopathologic responses (P = 0.00016), compared with control. In patients with elevated CA 19-9, a return to normal was associated with improved overall and recurrence-free survival (P < 0.0001). There were no differences in serious adverse events between arms and chemotherapy dose number was equivalent. The PGH arm had greater evidence of autophagy inhibition in their resected specimens (increased SQSTM1, P = 0.027, as well as increased immune cell tumor infiltration, P = 0.033). Overall survival (P = 0.59) and relapse-free survival (P = 0.55) did not differ between the two arms.

Conclusions:

The addition of hydroxychloroquine to preoperative gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel chemotherapy in patients with resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma resulted in greater pathologic tumor response, improved serum biomarker response, and evidence of autophagy inhibition and immune activity.
Sex-Specific Management in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction and Cardiogenic Shock
Authors: Rubini Gimenez Maria , Zeymer Uwe , Desch Steffen , de Waha-Thiele Suzanne , Ouarrak Taoufik , Poess Janine , Meyer-Saraei Roza , Schneider Steffen , Fuernau Georg , Stepinska Janina , Huber Kurt , Windecker Stephan , Montalescot Gilles , Savonitto Stefano , Jeger Raban V. , Thiele Holger
Published: March 2020

Background:

Women are more likely to suffer and die from cardiogenic shock (CS) as the most severe complication of acute myocardial infarction. Data concerning optimal management for women with CS are scarce. Aim of this study was to better define characteristics of women experiencing CS and to the influence of sex on different treatment strategies.

Methods:

In the CULPRIT-SHOCK trial (The Culprit Lesion Only PCI Versus Multivessel PCI in Cardiogenic Shock), patients with CS complicating acute myocardial infarction and multivessel coronary artery disease were randomly assigned to one of the following revascularization strategies: either percutaneous coronary intervention of the culprit-lesion-only or immediate multivessel percutaneous coronary intervention. Primary end point was composite of death from any cause or severe renal failure leading to renal replacement therapy within 30 days. We investigated sex-specific differences in general and according to the revascularization strategies.

Results:

Among all 686 randomized patients included in the analysis, 24% were women. Women were older and had more often diabetes mellitus and renal insufficiency, whereas they had less often history of previous acute myocardial infarction and smoking. After 30 days, the primary clinical end point was not significantly different between groups (56% women versus 49% men; odds ratio, 1.29 [95% CI, 0.91–1.84];
P
=0.15). There was no interaction between sex and coronary revascularization strategy regarding mortality and renal failure (
P
interaction
=0.11). The primary end point occurred in 56% of women treated by the culprit-lesion-only strategy versus 42% men, whereas 55% of women and 55% of men in the multivessel percutaneous coronary intervention group.

Conclusions:

Although women presented with a different risk profile, mortality and renal replacement were similar to men. Sex did not influence mortality and renal failure according to the different coronary revascularization strategies. Based on these data, women and men presenting with CS complicating acute myocardial infarction and multivessel coronary artery disease should not be treated differently. However, further randomized trials powered to address potential sex-specific differences in CS are still necessary.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT01927549.
Modified Glucose‐Insulin‐Potassium Regimen Provides Cardioprotection With Improved Tissue Perfusion in Patients Undergoing Cardiopulmonary Bypass Surgery
Authors: Zhao Kun , Zhang Yue , Li Jia , Cui Qin , Zhao Rong , Chen Wensheng , Liu Jincheng , Zhao Bijun , Wan Yi , Ma Xin-Liang , Yu Shiqiang , Yi Dinghua , Gao Feng
Published: March 2020

Background

Laboratory studies demonstrate glucose‐insulin‐potassium (
GIK
) as a potent cardioprotective intervention, but clinical trials have yielded mixed results, likely because of varying formulas and timing of
GIK
treatment and different clinical settings. This study sought to evaluate the effects of modified
GIK
regimen given perioperatively with an insulin‐glucose ratio of 1:3 in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery.

Methods and Results

In this prospective, randomized, double‐blinded trial with 930 patients referred for cardiac surgery with
cardiopulmonary bypass
,
GIK
(200 g/L glucose, 66.7 U/L insulin, and 80 mmol/L
KC
l) or placebo treatment was administered intravenously at 1
mL
/kg per hour 10 minutes before anesthesia and continuously for 12.5 hours. The primary outcome was the incidence of in‐hospital major adverse cardiac events including all‐cause death, low cardiac output syndrome, acute myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest with successful resuscitation, congestive heart failure, and arrhythmia.
GIK
therapy reduced the incidence of
major adverse cardiac events
and enhanced cardiac function recovery without increasing perioperative blood glucose compared with the control group. Mechanistically, this treatment resulted in increased glucose uptake and less lactate excretion calculated by the differences between arterial and coronary sinus, and increased phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate‐1 and protein kinase B in the hearts of
GIK
‐treated patients. Systemic blood lactate was also reduced in
GIK
‐treated patients during
cardiopulmonary bypass
surgery.

Conclusions

A modified
GIK
regimen administered perioperatively reduces the incidence of in‐hospital
major adverse cardiac events
in patients undergoing
cardiopulmonary bypass
surgery. These benefits are likely a result of enhanced systemic tissue perfusion and improved myocardial metabolism via activation of insulin signaling by
GIK
.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL: clinicaltrials.gov. Identifier:
NCT
01516138.
Pictures of You
Authors: Burton Johanna
Published: March 2020

In the wake of Douglas Crimp's passing in July 2019, Johanna Burton reflects on her still-evolving intellectual and personal relationship with this figure so crucial to histories of art, activism, and critical writing. Briefly tracing the various areas of thinking with which Crimp was associated over his decades-long career, Burton argues that the sum of Crimp's trajectory of thought is much greater than any of its formidable parts. Crimp has perhaps been most often associated with the onset of a particular tenet of postmodernism, namely the formation of the “Pictures Generation,” (including artists like Troy Brauntuch, Jack Goldstein, Louise Lawler, Sherrie Levine, Robert Longo, and Cindy Sherman). Yet Crimp, dissatisfied with the limits of this discourse, moved in the early 80s purposefully away from it toward other evolving dialogues: first around the AIDS crisis, and later into film, dance, memoir, and beyond. Ultimately, Crimp's legacy, Burton argues, is defined by his desire to unseat rather than produce or maintain established thinking. He models theoretical paradigms that anticipate their own eventual irrelevance in order to make space for others.
Myrcia lucasae (Myrtaceae), a new species from the campo rupestre of Chapada Diamantina, Brazil

Authors: ALMEIDA ROBERTO BAPTISTA PEREIRA , ANTAR GUILHERME MEDEIROS , VASCONCELOS THAIS , SANTOS LEIDIANA L. , AMORIM BRUNO S.
Published: March 2020

Myrcia lucasae (Myrcia sect. Gomidesia, Myrtaceae), a new species from the Bahia state, Brazil, is here described and illustrated. It differs from M. lughadhae, a closely related and sympatric species, by the strigose indumentum with ferruginous trichomes and the absence of ribs on fruits. It is also different and from M. virgata (Myrcia sect. Myrcia), by presenting thecae with irregular dorsal openings (characteristics of Myrcia sect. Gomidesia). Collections of M. lucasae have been constantly misidentified as the morphologically similar M. virgata, a species from a different section, which does not occur in the state of Bahia. Myrcia lucasae is endemic to the highly diverse campo rupestre vegetation of the Chapada Diamantina biogeographic province. We also provide preliminary conservation assessment, comments on distribution and ecological aspects of this new taxon.
Liparis mai (Orchidaceae; Malaxideae), a new species from China: evidence from morphological and molecular analyses

Authors: TU XIONG-DE , HUANG MING-ZHONG , LIU DING-KUN , MA LIANG , LI MING-HE
Published: March 2020

A new species, Liparis mai (Malaxidinae, Epidendroideae, Orchidaceae), from Guangxi, China, is illustrated and described based on morphological and molecular analyses. This new species is similar to L. nervosa but differs by the older pseudobulb often bearing bulbil, larger revolute lateral sepals, obovate-elliptic lip and caniniform callus. Molecular analyses of nuclear (ITS) and plastid (matK) DNA support L. mai as a distinct species, which forms an independent lineage sister to L. nervosa and its allies.
Description of the twelfth species of the genus Thermistis Pascoe, 1867 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae: Saperdini)
Authors: LIN MEIYING , TICHÝ TOMÁŠ
Published: March 2020

Thermistis Pascoe, 1867 (Cerambycidae: Lamiinae: Saperdini) is a large and brightly coloured Oriental saperdine genus. It was thoroughly revised by Lin et al. (2012), with 11 species from the Oriental region. After that, only some new locality reports were added to this genus (Lin & Vives 2012).
A new species of the genus Hishimonus Ishihara, 1953 (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Deltocephalinae) with a new record from India
Authors: STUTI STUTI , SUNIL SUNIL , SINGARAVEL M. , MESHRAM NARESH M
Published: March 2020

A new species Hishimonus adi sp. nov. (Arunachal Pradesh: Pasighat) is described and illustrated from India. A modified checklist and annotated key is provided for the all 25 species reported from the Indian subcontinent. Hishimonus knightiella Viraktamath & Murthy is newly recorded from India.
Characteristics of Model Tropical Cyclone Climatology and the Large-Scale Environment
Authors: Camargo Suzana J. , Giulivi Claudia F. , Sobel Adam H. , Wing Allison A. , Kim Daehyun , Moon Yumin , Strong Jeffrey D. O. , Del Genio Anthony D. , Kelley Maxwell , Murakami Hiroyuki , Reed Kevin A. , Scoccimarro Enrico , Vecchi Gabriel A. , Wehner Michael F. , Zarzycki Colin , Zhao Ming
Published: March 2020

Here we explore the relationship between the global climatological characteristics of tropical cyclones (TCs) in climate models and the modeled large-scale environment across a large number of models. We consider the climatology of TCs in 30 climate models with a wide range of horizontal resolutions. We examine if there is a systematic relationship between the climatological diagnostics for the TC activity [number of tropical cyclones (NTC) and accumulated cyclone energy (ACE)] by hemisphere in the models and the environmental fields usually associated with TC activity, when examined across a large number of models. For low-resolution models, there is no association between a conducive environment and TC activity, when integrated over space (tropical hemisphere) and time (all years of the simulation). As the model resolution increases, for a couple of variables, in particular vertical wind shear, there is a statistically significant relationship in between the models’ TC characteristics and the environmental characteristics, but in most cases the relationship is either nonexistent or the opposite of what is expected based on observations. It is important to stress that these results do not imply that there is no relationship between individual models’ environmental fields and their TC activity by basin with respect to intraseasonal or interannual variability or due to climate change. However, it is clear that when examined across many models, the models’ mean state does not have a consistent relationship with the models’ mean TC activity. Therefore, other processes associated with the model physics, dynamical core, and resolution determine the climatological TC activity in climate models.
Composite Synoptic-Scale Environments Conducive to North American Polar–Subtropical Jet Superposition Events
Authors: Winters Andrew C. , Keyser Daniel , Bosart Lance F. , Martin Jonathan E.
Published: March 2020

A polar–subtropical jet superposition represents a dynamical and thermodynamic environment conducive to the production of high-impact weather. Prior work indicates that the synoptic-scale environments that support the development of North American jet superpositions vary depending on the case under consideration. This variability motivates an analysis of the range of synoptic–dynamic mechanisms that operate within a double-jet environment to produce North American jet superpositions. This study identifies North American jet superposition events during November–March 1979–2010 and subsequently classifies those events into three characteristic event types. “Polar dominant” events are those during which only the polar jet is characterized by a substantial excursion from its climatological latitude band, “subtropical dominant” events are those during which only the subtropical jet is characterized by a substantial excursion from its climatological latitude band, and “hybrid” events are those characterized by a mutual excursion of both jets from their respective climatological latitude bands. The analysis indicates that North American jet superposition events occur most often during November and December, and subtropical dominant events are the most frequent event type for all months considered. Composite analyses constructed for each event type reveal the consistent role that descent plays in restructuring the tropopause beneath the jet-entrance region prior to jet superposition. The composite analyses further show that surface cyclogenesis and widespread precipitation lead the development of subtropical dominant events and contribute to jet superposition via their associated divergent circulations and diabatic heating, whereas surface cyclogenesis and widespread precipitation tend to peak at the time of superposition and well downstream of polar dominant events.
Thunderstorm Cloud-Type Classification from Space-Based Lightning Imagers
Authors: Peterson Michael , Rudlosky Scott , Zhang Daile
Published: March 2020

The organization and structure of thunderstorms determines the extent and severity of their hazards to the general public and their consequences for the Earth system. Distinguishing vigorous convective regions that produce heavy rain and hail from adjacent regions of stratiform clouds or overhanging anvil clouds that produce light to no rainfall is valuable in operations and physical research. Cloud-type algorithms that partition convection from stratiform regions have been developed for space-based radar, passive microwave, and now Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) multispectral products. However, there are limitations for each of these products including temporal availability, spatial coverage, and the degree to which they based on cloud microphysics. We have developed a cloud-type algorithm for GOES Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) observations that identifies convective/nonconvective regions in thunderstorms based on signatures of interactions with nonconvective charge structures in the lightning flash data. The GLM sensor permits a rapid (20 s) update cycle over the combinedGOES-16–GOES-17domain across all hours of the day. Storm regions that do not produce lightning will not be classified by our algorithm, however. The GLM cloud-type product is intended to provide situational awareness of electrified nonconvective clouds and to complement other cloud-type retrievals by providing a contemporary assessment tied to lightning physics. We propose that a future combined ABI–GLM cloud-type algorithm would be a valuable product that could draw from the strengths of each instrument and approach.
Asabiyya – Solidarity in the age of barbarism: An Afro-Arab-Asian alternative
Authors: Shihade Magid
Published: March 2020

At a time when the global empire seems to show its naked aggression especially in North Africa and West Asia, as we have seen in Libya, and now in Syria, an aggression that has further dismembered these societies, manifested also in global debt, racism against immigrants, and attacks on workers’ rights, we have also been witnessing a type of ‘nativist’ violence wearing the garb of religion as reflected in the different militant groups in the region who claim to offer an alternative to corrupt and violent regimes, on the one hand, and to a violent racist global empire led by the United States, on the other. The claims of these nativist groups are that political Islam or the return to the true Islam is the only solution available, and that they want to duplicate an ideal Islamic State from the distant past. While doing so, they have further helped the global empire in further destroying local societies, and many of them have collaborated with the US and other western countries, and their proxies in the region. Worsening this situation is the neoliberal life/subject-hood that has become the spirit and norm in many societies and states in the Global South, whereby individualism and self-interest have displaced the collective/common good. In this article, and through a reading of the concept of Asabiyya as articulated by Ibn Khaldun, the author suggests an alternative response to the violent global empire, to violent religious militancy, and to neoliberalism, by discussing how the concept of Asabiyya can help in building internal solidarity within societies in the region, and possibly beyond.
The decline of organizational sociology? An empirical analysis of research trends in leading journals across half a century
Authors: Grothe-Hammer Michael , Kohl Sebastian
Published: March 2020

Recent works see organizational sociology at the brink of irrelevance. Against this backdrop, in this article the authors want to explore the current state of organizational sociology empirically. They employ a variety of manual, automated and semi-automated content analyses to examine research articles published in generalist sociology journals since the 1950s. Contrary to contemporary pessimistic assessments, the results indicate that organizational sociology has not significantly declined over time. However, the study finds an increasing concentration on quantitative research designs, business-related topics, and only two dominant theory perspectives – neo-institutionalism and the network approach. A multifaceted decrease in variety rather than an absolute decline could be the right diagnosis.
Informal learning in formal organizations: The case of volunteer learning in the hospital
Authors: Serrano Velarde Kathia
Published: March 2020

The sociology of education has much to gain from an organizational perspective on learning processes. This is especially true for ‘informal learning’ – that is, learning beyond traditional educational settings such as schools and universities. The present article addresses this gap by providing a theoretical and empirical account of the informality of learning situations in formal organizations. Following the insights of the ‘situated learning’ literature and interaction-based analysis, the article investigates the role and place of informal learners in formal organizations by analysing the learning experience of volunteers who have chosen to take part in the German national voluntary service. The author grasps the complexity of their learning experience over time by using a mixed methods design that combines ethnographic protocols with a series of narrative interviews with German voluntary service participants in hospitals. Since the volunteers observed in the hospital context were constrained to routine tasks that do not require medical skills, their scope of learning new things is indeed limited. Learning thus comes with the necessity of challenging the boundaries of their volunteer role, which in turn requires the cooperation of the regular staff. The article reveals the social mechanisms underlying the individual learning experience of hospital volunteers. It does so by focusing on their boundary work and by identifying the limits of their participation in the communities of practice that they are ‘trying to help’.
Evaluating the Performances of Missing Data Handling Methods in Ability Estimation From Sparse Data
Authors: Xiao Jiaying , Bulut Okan
Published: March 2020

Large amounts of missing data could distort item parameter estimation and lead to biased ability estimates in educational assessments. Therefore, missing responses should be handled properly before estimating any parameters. In this study, two Monte Carlo simulation studies were conducted to compare the performance of four methods in handling missing data when estimating ability parameters. The methods were full-information maximum likelihood (FIML), zero replacement, and multiple imputation with chain equations utilizing classification and regression trees (MICE-CART) and random forest imputation (MICE-RFI). For the two imputation methods, missing responses were considered as a valid response category to enhance the accuracy of imputations. Bias, root mean square error, and the correlation between true ability parameters and estimated ability parameters were used to evaluate the accuracy of ability estimates for each method. Results indicated that FIML outperformed the other methods under most conditions. Zero replacement yielded accurate ability estimates when missing proportions were very high. The performances of MICE-CART and MICE-RFI were quite similar but these two methods appeared to be affected differently by the missing data mechanism. As the number of items increased and missing proportions decreased, all the methods performed better. In addition, the information on missing data could improve the performance of MICE-RFI and MICE-CART when the data set is sparse and the missing data mechanism is missing at random.