bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increased local failure for patients with intermediate‐risk rhabdomyosarcoma on ARST0531: A report from the Children's Oncology Group
Authors: Casey Dana L. , Chi Yueh‐Yun , Donaldson Sarah S. , Hawkins Douglas S. , Tian Jing , Arndt Carola A. , Rodeberg David A. , Routh Jonathan C. , Lautz Timothy B. , Gupta Abha A. , Yock Torunn I. , Wolden Suzanne L.
Published: June 2019

Background

The objective of this study was to evaluate local control for patients with intermediate‐risk rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) treated on Children's Oncology Group (COG) protocol ARST0531.

Methods

This study analyzed 424 patients with intermediate‐risk RMS. Patients were randomized to chemotherapy with either vincristine, dactinomycin, and cyclophosphamide (VAC) or VAC alternating with vincristine and irinotecan. With the goal of improving local control, radiation therapy (RT) was delivered early at week 4 and was concurrent with irinotecan in the experimental arm. Individualized local control plans for children 24 months old or younger were allowed. Local failure on ARST0531 was compared with local failure on the preceding COG intermediate‐risk study, D9803.

Results

For patients with group I/II alveolar RMS (n = 55), the 5‐year cumulative incidence of local failure was 13.4%; for group III alveolar RMS (n = 141), it was 20.2%; and for group III embryonal RMS (n = 228), it was 27.9% (P = .03). Among patients with group III disease, local failure did not differ by histology, site, nodal status, RT modality, or treatment arm. Local failure was worse for a tumor size >5 cm (32.3% vs 16.7%; P = .001). Among patients with group III embryonal RMS, local failure was higher on ARST0531 than D9803 (27.9% vs 19.4%; P = .03). After the exclusion of patients 24 months old or younger or patients who did not receive radiation, local failure remained significantly increased on ARST0531 (P = .02). After adjustments for clinical prognostic factors, event‐free survival and overall survival were worse on ARST0531 (P = .004 and P = .05, respectively).

Conclusions

Despite interventions designed to enhance local control, local control was inferior on ARST0531 in comparison with D9803. The reason for this is unclear, but it could be the reduced cyclophosphamide dose on ARST0531.
Amygdala growth from youth to adulthood in the macaque monkey
Authors: Schumann Cynthia M. , Scott Julia A. , Lee Aaron , Bauman Melissa D. , Amaral David G.
Published: June 2019

Emerging evidence suggests that the human amygdala undergoes extensive growth through adolescence, coinciding with the acquisition of complex socioemotional learning. Our objective was to longitudinally map volumetric growth of the nonhuman primate amygdala in a controlled, naturalistic social environment from birth to adulthood. Magnetic resonance images were collected at five time‐points in 24 male and female rhesus macaques from 6 months to adulthood at 5 years. We then compared amygdala growth to other brain regions, including newly collected isocortical gray and white matter volumes, and previously published data on the same cohort. We found that amygdala volume increases by nearly 50% from age 6 months to 5 years. This dramatic growth is in contrast to overall brain and hippocampal volume, which peak near 3 years, white matter, which slows from 3 to 5 years, and isocortical gray, which has a net decrease. Similar to isocortical gray and hippocampal volumes, amygdala volume is ~8% larger in males than females. Rate of growth does not differ by sex. Although the underlying neurobiological substrate for protracted amygdala growth into adulthood is unclear, we propose it may be due in part to the unique cellular development of immature neurons in paralaminar nucleus that mature in size and connectivity with age. Prolonged amygdala maturation raises the possibility that environmental and genetic perturbations that disrupt this trajectory may contribute to the emergence of psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and autism; all in which the amygdala is strongly implicated.
Software defined vehicular networks: A comprehensive review
Authors: Bhatia Jitendra , Modi Yash , Tanwar Sudeep , Bhavsar Madhuri
Published: June 2019

The recent breakthroughs in the automobile industries and telecommunication technologies along with the exceptional multimodal mobility services brought focus on intelligent transportation system (ITS), of which vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) gain much more attention. The distinctive features of software‐defined networking (SDN) leverages the vehicular networks by its state of the centralized art having a comprehensive view of the network. Its potential to bring the flexibility, programmability and other extensive advancements to vehicular networks has set the stage for a novel networking paradigm termed as software‐defined vehicular networks (SDVNs). Many researchers have demonstrated the SDN‐based VANETs with the various configuration of the SDN components in VANET architecture. However, a compilation of the work on the SDN‐based VANET system as a whole, incorporating its architecture, use‐cases, and opportunities, is still inadequate. We start with the summary of the recent studies that exist on the SDVNs, followed by the comprehensive explanation of its components. Next, we present the taxonomy of SDVN based on the architecture modes, protocols, access technologies, and opportunities with trending technologies. Finally, we highlight the challenges, open research issues, and future research directions.
Cutaneous nocardiosis with discharging sinus clinically mimicking tuberculosis diagnosed by cytology
Authors: Gudivada Vijayalakshmi , Gochhait Debasis , Bhandary Chandni , Mishra Nimesh , Siddaraju Neelaiah
Published: June 2019

Nocardiosis is primarily a pulmonary infection commonly seen in immunocompromised individuals. However, lymphocutaneous nocardiosis is observed in immunocompetent individuals often after trauma. The clinical and cytomorphological features of lymphocutaneous nocardiosis closely mimic the most common infections in India such as tuberculosis and mycetoma (very common cutaneous infection with discharging sinus). As it is crucial to differentiate nocardiosis from tuberculosis, to avoid unnecessary antitubercular treatment, special stains like modified Ziehl–Neelsen stain and Gram stain can be employed to differentiate the morphology of Nocardia from tuberculosis. Fine‐needle cytology from these cutaneous lesions helps in yielding adequate material for rapid and accurate diagnosis of immediate specific antibiotic treatment. We report a rare case that presented with clinical diagnosis of tuberculosis but turned out to be nocardiosis on cytomorphology with simple and most feasible fine‐needle aspiration method of tissue diagnosis and scrape cytology.
Effects of a herbicide on paddy predatory insects depend on their microhabitat use and an insecticide application
Authors: Hashimoto Koya , Eguchi Yuji , Oishi Hiroki , Tazunoki Yuhei , Tokuda Makoto , Sánchez‐Bayo Francisco , Goka Koichi , Hayasaka Daisuke
Published: June 2019

Indirect effects of agrochemicals on organisms via biotic interactions are less studied than direct chemical toxicity despite their potential relevance in agricultural landscapes. In particular, the role of species traits in characterizing indirect effects of pesticides has been largely overlooked. Moreover, it is still unclear whether such indirect effects on organisms are prevalent even when the organisms are exposed to direct toxicity. We conducted a mesocosm experiment to examine indirect effects of a herbicide (pentoxazone) on aquatic predatory insects of rice paddies. Because the herbicide selectively controls photosynthetic organisms, we assumed that the effects of the herbicide on predatory insects would be indirect. We hypothesized that phytophilous predators such as some Odonata larvae, which cling to aquatic macrophytes, would be more subject to negative indirect effects of the herbicide through a decrease in abundance of aquatic macrophytes than benthic, nektonic, and neustonic predators. Also, we crossed‐applied an insecticide (fipronil) with herbicide application to examine whether the indirect effects of the herbicide on the assembling predators act additively with direct adverse effects of the insecticide. The herbicide application did not decrease the abundance of phytoplankton constitutively, and there were no clear negative impacts of the herbicide on zooplankton and prey insects (detritivores and herbivores). However, the abundance of aquatic macrophytes was significantly decreased by the herbicide application. Although indirect effects of the herbicide were not so strong on most predators, their magnitude and sign differed markedly among predator species. In particular, the abundance of phytophilous predators was more likely to decrease than that of benthic, nektonic, and neustonic predators when the herbicide was applied. However, these indirect effects of the herbicide could not be detected when the insecticide was also applied, seemingly due to fipronil's high lethal toxicity. Our study highlights the importance of species traits such as microhabitat use, which characterize biotic interactions, for predicting indirect effects of agrochemicals. Given that indirect effects of the chemicals vary in response to species traits and direct toxicity of other chemicals, efforts to explain this variation are needed to predict the realistic risks of indirect effects of agrochemicals in nature.
Urban meadows as an alternative to short mown grassland: effects of composition and height on biodiversity
Authors: Norton Briony A. , Bending Gary D. , Clark Rachel , Corstanje Ron , Dunnett Nigel , Evans Karl L. , Grafius Darren R. , Gravestock Emily , Grice Samuel M. , Harris Jim A. , Hilton Sally , Hoyle Helen , Lim Edward , Mercer Theresa G. , Pawlett Mark , Pescott Oliver L. , Richards J. Paul , Southon Georgina E. , Warren Philip H.
Published: June 2019

There are increasing calls to provide greenspace in urban areas, yet the ecological quality, as well as quantity, of greenspace is important. Short mown grassland designed for recreational use is the dominant form of urban greenspace in temperate regions but requires considerable maintenance and typically provides limited habitat value for most taxa. Alternatives are increasingly proposed, but the biodiversity potential of these is not well understood. In a replicated experiment across six public urban greenspaces, we used nine different perennial meadow plantings to quantify the relative roles of floristic diversity and height of sown meadows on the richness and composition of three taxonomic groups: plants, invertebrates, and soil microbes. We found that all meadow treatments were colonized by plant species not sown in the plots, suggesting that establishing sown meadows does not preclude further locally determined grassland development if management is appropriate. Colonizing species were rarer in taller and more diverse plots, indicating competition may limit invasion rates. Urban meadow treatments contained invertebrate and microbial communities that differed from mown grassland. Invertebrate taxa responded to changes in both height and richness of meadow vegetation, but most orders were more abundant where vegetation height was longer than mown grassland. Order richness also increased in longer vegetation and Coleoptera family richness increased with plant diversity in summer. Microbial community composition seems sensitive to plant species composition at the soil surface (0–10 cm), but in deeper soils (11–20 cm) community variation was most responsive to plant height, with bacteria and fungi responding differently. In addition to improving local residents’ site satisfaction, native perennial meadow plantings can produce biologically diverse grasslands that support richer and more abundant invertebrate communities, and restructured plant, invertebrate, and soil microbial communities compared with short mown grassland. Our results suggest that diversification of urban greenspace by planting urban meadows in place of some mown amenity grassland is likely to generate substantial biodiversity benefits, with a mosaic of meadow types likely to maximize such benefits.
Benthification, biotic homogenization behind the trophic downgrading in altered ecosystems
Authors: Bezerra Luis Artur Valões , Ribeiro Vanessa Maria , Freitas Matheus Oliveira , Kaufman Les , Padial Andre Andrian , Vitule Jean Ricardo Simões
Published: June 2019

Several dozen fish species have been introduced into Neotropical waters, causing significant biotic changes that include deterministic predation interactions with ecosystem effects. In general, reservoirs are preferred over lakes as places for stocking policies, due to their artificial aspect, consequently promoting fish introductions. In a meta‐analytic approach, we compared the biomass of plankton‐feeding (and top predators) with bottom‐feeding fish species between reservoirs and lakes, considering the influence of invaders and trophic levels. Among the 26 ecosystems (12 reservoirs and 14 lakes), there is a dominance of non‐native bottom‐feeding species in artificial environments. We revealed a mechanism behind this dominance in a study case, a tendency for trophic downgrading and biotic homogenization based on interactions between an expatriate invasive centrarchid (sunfish family) predator from North America (the largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides) and two omnivorous cichlids from Africa in novel environmental contexts in Brazil (the benthification process). Both juvenile and adult largemouth bass are keystone predators in aquatic food webs in both their native and introduced ranges. The omnivore–detritivore tilapiines Oreochromis spp. and the phytophagous–omnivorous Coptodon spp. are species that exhibits strong generalist tendencies. Such species feed on the omnivore and detritivore compartments, enhancing detritus cycling among a large variety of δ13C sources. Since their consumption is disproportionate, facilitation of other species occurs with multiplicative effects in the environment. Interactions between invasive species, that is, when an invasive predator (bird, fish, or invertebrate) eats an invasive prey (mainly fish and invertebrates), can serve to highlight biotic homogenization on fresh waters.
Numerical response of a mammalian specialist predator to multiple prey dynamics in Mediterranean farmlands
Authors: Mougeot François , Lambin Xavier , Rodríguez‐Pastor Ruth , Romairone Juan , Luque‐Larena Juan‐José
Published: June 2019

The study of rodent population cycles has greatly contributed, both theoretically and empirically, to our understanding of the circumstances under which predator–prey interactions destabilize populations. According to the specialist predator hypothesis, reciprocal interactions between voles and small predators that specialize on voles, such as weasels, can cause multiannual cycles. A fundamental feature of classical weasel–vole models is a long time‐lag in the numerical response of the predator to variations in prey abundance: weasel abundance increases with that of voles and peaks approximately 1 yr later. We investigated the numerical response of the common weasel (Mustela nivalis) to fluctuating abundances of common voles (Microtus arvalis) in recently colonized agrosteppes of Castilla‐y‐Léon, northwestern Spain, at the southern limit of the species’ range. Populations of both weasels and voles exhibited multiannual cycles with a 3‐yr period. Weasels responded quickly and numerically to changes in common‐vole abundance, with a time lag between prey and weasel abundance that did not exceed 4 months and occurred during the breeding season, reflecting the quick conversion of prey into predator offspring and/or immigration to sites with high vole populations. We found no evidence of a sustained, high weasel abundance following vole abundance peaks. Weasel population growth rates showed spatial synchrony across study sites approximately 60 km apart. Weasel dynamics were more synchronized with that of common voles than with other prey species (mice or shrews). However, asynchrony within, as well as among sites, in the abundance of voles and alternative prey suggests that weasel mobility could allow them to avoid starvation during low‐vole phases, precluding the emergence of prolonged time lag in the numerical response to voles. Our observations are inconsistent with the specialist predator hypothesis as currently formulated, and suggest that weasels might follow rather than cause the vole cycles in northwestern Spain. The reliance of a specialized predator on a functional group of prey such as small rodents does not necessarily lead to a long delay in the numerical response by the predator, depending on the spatial and interspecific synchrony in prey dynamics.
How geomorphic context governs the influence of wildfire on floodplain organic carbon in fire‐prone environments of the western United States
Authors: Wohl Ellen , Lininger Katherine B. , Rathburn Sara L. , Sutfin Nicholas A.
Published: June 2019

We draw on published studies of floodplain organic carbon storage, wildfire‐related effects on floodplains in temperate and high latitudes, and case studies to propose a conceptual model of the effects of wildfire on floodplain organic carbon storage in relation to climate and valley geometry. Soil organic carbon typically constitutes the largest carbon stock in floodplains in fire‐prone regions, although downed wood can contain significant organic carbon. We focus on the influence of wildfire on soil organic carbon and downed wood as opposed to standing vegetation to emphasize the geomorphic influences resulting from wildfire on floodplain organic carbon stocks. The net effect of wildfire varies depending on site‐specific characteristics including climate and valley geometry. Wildfire is likely to reduce carbon stock in steep, confined valley segments because increased water and sediment yields following fire create net floodplain erosion. The net effect of fire in partly confined valleys depends on site‐specific interactions among floodplain aggradation and erosion, and, in high‐latitude regions, permafrost degradation. In unconfined valleys in temperate latitudes, wildfire is likely to slightly increase floodplain organic carbon stock as a result of floodplain aggradation and wood deposition. In unconfined valleys in high latitudes underlain by permafrost, wildfire is likely in the short‐term to significantly decrease floodplain organic carbon via permafrost degradation and reduce organic‐layer thickness. Permafrost degradation reduces floodplain erosional resistance, leading to enhanced stream bank erosion and greater carbon fluxes into channels. The implications of warming climate and increased wildfires for floodplain organic carbon stock thus vary. Increasing wildfire extent, frequency, and severity may result in significant redistribution of organic carbon from floodplains to the atmosphere via combustion in all environments examined here, as well as redistribution from upper to lower portions of watersheds in the temperate zone and from floodplains to the oceans via riverine transport in the high‐latitudes. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modeling boulder transport by coastal waves on cliff topography: Case study at Hachijo Island, Japan
Authors: Watanabe Masashi , Goto Kazuhisa , Imamura Fumihiko , Kennedy Andrew , Sugawara Daisuke , Nakamura Norihiro , Tonosaki Takayuki
Published: June 2019

Clifftop coastal boulders transported by storm waves or tsunamis have been reported around the world. Although numerical calculation of boulder transport is a strong tool for the identification of tsunami or storm boulders, and for estimation of the wave size emplacing boulders, models which can reasonably solve boulder transport from below a cliff or from a cliff‐edge onto a cliff‐top do not yet exist. In this study, we developed a new numerical formulation for cliff‐top deposition of boulders from the cliff edge or below the cliff, with validation from laboratory tests. We then applied the model using storm and tsunami wave forcing to simulate the observed boulder deposits at the northwest coast of Hachijo Island, Japan. Using the model, the actual distribution of boulders was explained well using a reasonable storm wave height without assumption of anomalously high‐water level by storm surge. Results show that boulder transport from the cliff edge or under the cliff onto the cliff‐top was possible from a tsunami with periods of 5~10 min or storm waves with no storm surge. However, the actual distribution of boulders on the cliff was explained only by storm waves, but not by tsunami. Therefore, the boulders distributed at this site are likely of storm wave origin. Our developed model for the boulder transport calculation can be useful for identifying a boulder's origin and can reasonably calculate cliff‐top deposition of boulders by tsunami and storm waves. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A systematic genetic analysis and visualization of phenotypic heterogeneity among orofacial cleft GWAS signals
Authors: Carlson Jenna C. , Anand Deepti , Butali Azeez , Buxo Carmen J. , Christensen Kaare , Deleyiannis Frederic , Hecht Jacqueline T. , Moreno Lina M. , Orioli Ieda M. , Padilla Carmencita , Shaffer John R. , Vieira Alexandre R. , Wehby George L. , Weinberg Seth M. , Murray Jeffrey C. , Beaty Terri H. , Saadi Irfan , Lachke Salil A. , Marazita Mary L. , Feingold Eleanor , Leslie Elizabeth J.
Published: June 2019

Phenotypic heterogeneity is a hallmark of complex traits, and genetic studies of such traits may focus on them as a single diagnostic entity or by analyzing specific components. For example, in orofacial clefting (OFC), three subtypes—cleft lip (CL), cleft lip and palate (CLP), and cleft palate (CP) have been studied separately and in combination. To further dissect the genetic architecture of OFCs and how a given associated locus may be contributing to distinct subtypes of a trait we developed a framework for quantifying and interpreting evidence of subtype‐specific or shared genetic effects in complex traits. We applied this technique to create a “cleft map” of the association of 30 genetic loci with three OFC subtypes. In addition to new associations, we found loci with subtype‐specific effects (e.g.,GRHL3[CP],WNT5A[CLP]), as well as loci associated with two or all three subtypes. We cross‐referenced these results with mouse craniofacial gene expression datasets, which identified additional promising candidate genes. However, we found no strong correlation between OFC subtypes and expression patterns. In aggregate, the cleft map revealed that neither subtype‐specific nor shared genetic effects operate in isolation in OFC architecture. Our approach can be easily applied to any complex trait with distinct phenotypic subgroups.
Towards an optimised processing pipeline for diffusion magnetic resonance imaging data: Effects of artefact corrections on diffusion metrics and their age associations in UK Biobank
Authors: Maximov Ivan I. , Alnæs Dag , Westlye Lars T.
Published: June 2019

Increasing interest in the structural and functional organisation of the human brain encourages the acquisition of big data sets comprising multiple neuroimaging modalities, often accompanied by additional information obtained from health records, cognitive tests, biomarkers and genotypes. Diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging data enables a range of promising imaging phenotypes probing structural connections as well as macroanatomical and microstructural properties of the brain. The reliability and biological sensitivity and specificity of diffusion data depend on processing pipeline. A state‐of‐the‐art framework for data processing facilitates cross‐study harmonisation and reduces pipeline‐related variability. Using diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data from 218 individuals in the UK Biobank, we evaluate the effects of different processing steps that have been suggested to reduce imaging artefacts and improve reliability of diffusion metrics. In lack of a ground truth, we compared diffusion metric sensitivity to age between pipelines. By comparing distributions and age sensitivity of the resulting diffusion metrics based on different approaches (diffusion tensor imaging, diffusion kurtosis imaging and white matter tract integrity), we evaluate a general pipeline comprising seven postprocessing blocks: noise correction; Gibbs ringing correction; evaluation of field distortions; susceptibility, eddy‐current and motion‐induced distortion corrections; bias field correction; spatial smoothing and final diffusion metric estimations. Based on this evaluation, we suggest an optimised processing pipeline for diffusion weighted MRI data.
Investigating the relationship between formal and informal care: An application using panel data for people living together
Authors: Urwin Sean , Lau Yiu‐Shing , Mason Thomas
Published: June 2019

There is limited evidence on the relationship between formal and informal care using panel data in a U.K. setting and focused specifically on people living together (co‐residents). Using all 18 waves of the British Household Panel Survey (1991–2009), we analyse the effect of informal care given by co‐residents on the use of formal home care and health care services more generally. To account for endogeneity, we estimate models using random effects instrumental variable regression using the number of daughters as a source of exogenous variation. We find that a 10% increase in the monthly provision of informal care hours decreases the probability of using home help (formal home care) by 1.02 percentage points (p < .05), equivalent to a 15.62% relative reduction. This effect was larger for home help provided by the state (β = −.117) compared with non‐state home help (β = −.044). These results provide evidence that significant increases in the supply of informal care would reduce the demand for home‐help provision.
Prevalence and clinical and psychological correlates of high fear of cancer recurrence in patients newly diagnosed with head and neck cancer
Authors: Mirosevic Spela , Thewes Belinda , van Herpen Carla , Kaanders Johannes , Merkx Thijs , Humphris Gerry , Baatenburg de Jong Robert J. , Langendijk Johannes A. , Leemans C. René , Terhaard Chris H. J. , Verdonck‐de Leeuw Irma M. , Takes Robert , Prins Judith ,   the NET‐QUBIC Consortium
Published: June 2019

Background

Patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) are vulnerable to fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) and psychiatric morbidity. We investigated the prevalence of high FCR and demographic, clinical, psychological, and psychiatric factors associated with high FCR prior to the start of the treatment.

Methods

In a cross‐sectional substudy of the large ongoing prospective NET‐QUBIC study questionnaires and psychiatric interviews of 216 patients newly diagnosed with HNC were analyzed.

Results

High FCR was observed in 52.8% of patients and among those 21.1% also had a lifetime history of selected anxiety or major depressive disorder. FCR was not related to any clinical characteristics; however, younger age, higher anxiety symptoms, introversion, greater needs for support regarding sexuality, and being an exsmoker were significantly associated with higher FCR.

Conclusion

Factors associated with high FCR provide us with a better conceptual understanding of FCR in patients newly diagnosed with HNC.
Tumor‐Specific Transcripts Are Frequently Expressed in Hepatocellular Carcinoma With Clinical Implication and Potential Function
Authors: Zheng Qiupeng , Zhao Jingjing , Yu Hui , Zong Huajie , He Xigan , Zhao Yiming , Li Yan , Wang Yu , Bao Yichao , Li Yuchen , Chen Bing , Guo Weijie , Wang Yilin , Chen Zhiao , Zhao Yingjun , Wang Lu , He Xianghuo , Huang Shenglin
Published: June 2019

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly lethal cancer and its underlying etiology remains understudied. The immense diversity and complexity of the cancer transcriptome hold the potential to yield tumor‐specific transcripts (TSTs). Here, we showed that hundreds of TSTs are frequently expressed in HCC by an assembling spliced junction analysis of RNA sequencing raw data from approximately 1,000 normal and HCC tissues. Many of the TSTs were found to be unannotated and noncoding RNAs. We observed that intergenic TSTs are generated from transcription initiation sites frequently harboring long terminal repeat (LTR) elements. The strong presence of TSTs indicates significantly poor prognoses in HCC. Functional screening revealed a noncoding TST (termed TST1), which acted as a regulator of HCC cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. TST1 is generated from an LTR12C promoter regulated by DNA methylation and retinoic‐acid–related drugs. Additionally, we observed that TSTs may be detected in the blood extracellular vesicles of patients with HCC. Conclusion: Our findings suggest an abundance of TSTs in HCC and their potential in clinical settings. The identification and characterization of TSTs may help toward the development of strategies for cancer diagnosis and treatment.
The topology of vitronectin: A complementary feature for neuroblastoma risk classification based on computer‐aided detection
Authors: Vicente‐Munuera Pablo , Burgos‐Panadero Rebeca , Noguera Inmaculada , Navarro Samuel , Noguera Rosa , Escudero Luis M.
Published: June 2019

Tumors are complex networks of constantly interacting elements: tumor cells, stromal cells, immune and stem cells, blood/lympathic vessels, nerve fibers and extracellular matrix components. These elements can influence their microenvironment through mechanical and physical signals to promote tumor cell growth. To get a better understanding of tumor biology, cooperation between multidisciplinary fields is needed. Diverse mathematic computations and algorithms have been designed to find prognostic targets and enhance diagnostic assessment. In this work, we use computational digital tools to study the topology of vitronectin, a glycoprotein of the extracellular matrix. Vitronectin is linked to angiogenesis and migration, two processes closely related to tumor cell spread. Here, we investigate whether the distribution of this molecule in the tumor stroma may confer mechanical properties affecting neuroblastoma aggressiveness. Combining image analysis and graph theory, we analyze different topological features that capture the organizational cues of vitronectin in histopathological images taken from human samples. We find that the Euler number and the branching of territorial vitronectin, two topological features, could allow for a more precise pretreatment risk stratification to guide treatment strategies in neuroblastoma patients. A large amount of recently synthesized VN would create migration tracks, pinpointed by both topological features, for malignant neuroblasts, so that dramatic change in the extracellular matrix would increase tumor aggressiveness and worsen patient outcomes.
FIGO classification for the clinical diagnosis of placenta accreta spectrum disorders,
Authors: Jauniaux Eric , Ayres‐de‐Campos Diogo , Langhoff‐Roos Jens , Fox Karin A. , Collins Sally ,   FIGO Placenta Accreta Diagnosis and Management Expert Consensus Panel
Published: June 2019

Placenta accreta spectrum is impacting maternal health outcomes globally and its prevalence is likely to increase. Maternal outcomes depend on identification of the condition before or during delivery and, in particular, on the differential diagnosis between its adherent and invasive forms. However, accurate estimation of its prevalence and outcome is currently problematic because of the varying use of clinical criteria to define it at birth and the lack of detailed pathologic examination in most series. Adherence to this new International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) classification should improve future systematic reviews and meta‐analyses and provide more accurate epidemiologic data which are essential to develop new management strategies.
The International Childbirth Initiative: 12 steps to safe and respectful MotherBaby–Family maternity care
Authors: Lalonde André , Herschderfer Kathy , Pascali‐Bonaro Debra , Hanson Claudia , Fuchtner Carlos , Visser Gerald H.A.
Published: June 2019

The ICI has developed a quality assurance program of 12 steps for safe and respectful MotherBaby–Family maternity care that all birthing units can implement.
Older age and higher parity are associated with nonuse of the partograph at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda
Authors: Lugobe Henry Mark , Kanyesigye Hamson , Mpiima Derrick , Ssemujju Augustine , Masinda Abraham , Mulisya Olivier , Twizerimana Hillary , Bajunirwe Francis , Mugyenyi Godfrey
Published: June 2019

Objective

To determine the frequency of partograph use, the proportion of mothers with partographs completed to standard, the completeness of recorded parameters, and factors associated with nonuse at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH), Uganda.

Methods

A retrospective review of medical records from mothers admitted to MRRH's postnatal ward between October 2016 and March 2017. Partograph use and whether it had been completed to standard were analyzed.

Results

Of 527 study participants, 409 (77.6%) records contained a partograph, of which only 17 (4.2%) had been completed to standard. Parameters most commonly completed to standard were monitoring of cervical dilatation (n=41, 10%), fetal heart rate (n=21, 5.1%), and uterine contractions (n=18, 4.4%). Age older than 30 years (prevalence ratio 1.73; 95% CI, 1.14–2.64) and parity greater than or equal to five (prevalence ratio 1.88; 95% CI, 1.19–2.98) were associated with nonuse of the partograph. Birth outcome was recorded in 98.8% (n=404) of partographs.

Conclusion

Appropriate use of the partograph to monitor mothers in labor was extremely low; most common use was to record birth outcomes. Older mothers and those with higher parity were less likely to have their labor monitored using a partograph and should be targeted for partograph interventions.
The effect of MgO/TiO2 on structural and crystallization behavior of near invert phosphate‐based glasses
Authors: Islam Md Towhidul , Sharmin Nusrat , Rance Graham A. , Titman Jeremy J. , Parsons Andrew J. , Hossain Kazi M. Zakir , Ahmed Ifty
Published: June 2019

Varying formulations in the glass system of 40P2O5─(24 − x)MgO─(16 + x)CaO─(20 − y)Na2O─yTiO2 (where 0 ≤ x ≤ 22 and y = 0 or 1) were prepared via melt‐quenching. The structure of the glasses was confirmed by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), micro Raman and solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopies. The thermal properties and the activation energy of crystallization (Ec) were measured using thermal analysis and the Kissinger equation, respectively. The glass forming ability of the formulations investigated was seen to decrease with reducing MgO content down to 8 mol% and the glass stability region also decreased from 106 to 90°C with decreasing MgO content. The activation energy of crystallization (Ec) values also decreased from 248 (for 24 mol% MgO glass) to 229 kJ/mol (for the 8 mol% MgO content) with the replacement of MgO by CaO for glasses with no TiO2. The formulations containing less than 8 mol% MgO without TiO2 showed a strong tendency toward crystallization. However, the addition of 1 mol% TiO2 in place of Na2O for these glasses with less than 8 mol% MgO content, inhibited their crystallization tendency. Glasses containing 8 mol% MgO with 1 mol% TiO2 revealed a 12°C higher glass transition temperature, a 14°C increase in glass stability against crystallization and a 38 kJ/mol increase in Ec in comparison to their non TiO2 containing counterpart. NMR spectroscopy revealed that all of the formulations contained almost equal percentages of Q1 and Q2 species. However, FTIR and Raman spectroscopies showed that the local structure of the glasses had been altered with addition of 1 mol% TiO2, which acted as a network modifier, impeding crystallization by increasing the cross‐linking between phosphate chains and consequently leading to increased Ec as well as their glass forming ability.
Olfactory mucosa stem cells: An available candidate for the treatment of the Parkinson's disease
Authors: Simorgh Sara , Alizadeh Rafieh , Eftekharzadeh Mina , Haramshahi Seyed Mohammad Amin , Milan Peiman Brouki , Doshmanziari Maryam , Ramezanpour Farnaz , Gholipourmalekabadi Mazaher , Seifi Morteza , Moradi Fatemeh
Published: June 2019

Olfactory ectomesenchymal stem cells (OE‐MSCs) possess the immunosuppressive activity and regeneration capacity and hold a lot of promises for neurodegenerative disorders treatment. This study aimed to determine OE‐MSCs which are able to augment and differentiate into functional neurons and regenerate the CNS and also examine whether the implantation of OE‐MSCs in the pars compacta of the substantia nigra (SNpc) can improve Parkinson's symptoms in a rat model‐induced with 6‐hydroxydopamine. We isolated OE‐MSCs from lamina propria in olfactory mucosa and characterized them using flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry. The therapeutic potential of OE‐MSCs was evaluated by the transplantation of isolated cells using a rat model of acute SN injury as a Parkinson's disease. Significant behavioral improvement in Parkinsonian rats was elicited by the OE‐MSCs. The results demonstrate that the expression of PAX2, PAX5, PITX3, dopamine transporter, and tyrosine hydroxylase was increased by OE‐MSCs compared to the control group which is analyzed with real‐time polymerase chain reaction technique and immunohistochemical staining. In the outcome, the transplantation of 1,1′‐dioctadecyl‐3,3,3′3'‐tetramethyl indocarbocyanine perchlorate labeled OE‐MSCs that were fully differentiated to dopaminergic neurons contribute to a substantial improvement in patients with Parkinson's. Together, our results provide that using OE‐MSCs in neurodegenerative disorders might lead to better neural regeneration.
Switched reluctance motor circuit drive system using adaptive nonlinear backstepping control with mended recurrent Romanovski polynomials neural network and mended particle swarm optimization
Authors: Lin Chih‐Hong , Chang Kuo‐Tsai
Published: June 2019

A switched reluctance motor (SRM) circuit drive system caused many nonlinear effects due to convex construction. The linear control methods were hard to achieve good performance for the SRM circuit drive. The adaptive nonlinear backstepping control system using switching function is proposed for controlling the SRM drive system to obtain good performance. To reduce chattering of control effort, the adaptive nonlinear backstepping control system using adaptive law is proposed to estimate the required lumped uncertainty. When the inertia of the counterweight is varying, this proposed method cannot get a satisfactory performance. The adaptive nonlinear backstepping control system using mended recurrent Romanovski polynomials neural network with adaptive law and error‐estimated law is proposed for controlling the SRM drive system to raise robustness of the SRM drive system. Furthermore, two variable learning rates in the mended recurrent Romanovski polynomials neural network are adopted by using mended particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm to speed up parameter's convergence.

Finally, comparative performances through some experimental results are verified that the proposed control system has better control performances than those of the proposed methods for the SRM drive system.
A review of simulation applications in temporal bone surgery
Authors: Kashikar Tanisha S. , Kerwin Thomas F. , Moberly Aaron C. , Wiet Gregory J.
Published: June 2019

Background

Temporal bone surgery is a technically challenging and high‐risk procedure in an anatomically complex area. Safe temporal bone surgery emphasizes a consummate anatomic understanding and technique development that requires the guidance of an experienced otologic surgeon and years of practice. Temporal bone simulation can augment otologic surgical training and enable rehearsal of surgical procedures.

Objectives

The purpose of this article is to provide an updated review of temporal bone simulation platforms and their uses.

Data Sources

PubMed literature search. Search terms included temporal bone, temporal bone simulation, virtual reality (VR), and presurgical planning and rehearsal.

Discussion

Various simulation platforms such as cadaveric bone, three‐dimensional (3D) printed models, and VR simulation have been used for temporal bone surgery training. However, each simulation method has its drawbacks. There is a need to improve upon current simulation platforms to enhance surgical training and skills assessment, as well as a need to explore other clinically significant applications of simulation, such as preoperative planning and rehearsal, in otologic surgery.

Conclusions

There is no replacement for actual surgical experience, but high‐fidelity temporal bone models such as those produced with 3D printing and computer simulation have emerged as promising tools in otolaryngologic surgery. Improvements in the fidelity of both 3D printed and VR simulators as well as integration of a standardized assessment format would allow for an expansion in the use of these simulation platforms in training and assessment.

Level of Evidence

5
Living the high turbidity life: The effects of total suspended solids, flow, and gill morphology on mussel feeding
Authors: Tuttle‐Raycraft Shaylah , Ackerman Josef Daniel
Published: June 2019

Unionid mussels from clear‐water rivers are often found in turbid waters in which their feeding and reproductive efficiency should be impaired. We examined the feeding response of Lampsilis siliquoidea from a clear and turbid river in response to increased concentrations of total suspended solids (TSS) and water velocity in a funnel chamber and a recirculating flow chamber. Four TSS concentrations (0, 5, 20, and 100 mg L−1) and four velocities (0, 0.05, 0.15, and 0.25 m s−1) were used to create 16 experimental conditions corresponding to nine TSS flux (concentration × velocity) levels. TSS flux significantly affected clearance rates (CR); however, the relationship was complex. Increased TSS led to lower CR in mussels from clear and turbid river at all velocities; however, increases in velocity reduced the magnitude of the decline with respect to TSS. Overall, the turbid river mussels were less affected by increased TSS than those from the clear‐water rivers. The mussels from the turbid river also differed anatomically (i.e., greater palp:gill ratio; number of cilia per cirri; number of cirri cm−1; and thickness of palp cilia, and less cilia per unit area of palp) from the clear river animals. It is likely that these anatomical differences allow the mussels to feed more efficiently in turbid water, which explains the observed differences in CR response to TSS. These results demonstrate the importance of multistressor approaches in evaluating aquatic organisms, as well as providing a potential mechanism to explain how mussels thrive in turbid rivers.
Screening of Hydrogels for Human Pluripotent Stem Cell–Derived Neural Cells: Hyaluronan‐Polyvinyl Alcohol‐Collagen‐Based Interpenetrating Polymer Network Provides an Improved Hydrogel Scaffold
Authors: Ylä‐Outinen Laura , Harju Venla , Joki Tiina , Koivisto Janne T. , Karvinen Jennika , Kellomäki Minna , Narkilahti Susanna
Published: June 2019

There is a clear need for novel in vitro models, especially for neuronal applications. Development of in vitro models is a multiparameter task consisting of cell‐, biomaterial‐, and environment‐related parameters. Here, three different human origin neuronal cell sources are studied and cultured in various hydrogel 3D scaffolds. For the efficient evaluation of complex results, an indexing method for data is developed and used in principal component analysis (PCA). It is found that no single hydrogel is superior to other hydrogels, and collagen I (Col1) and hyaluronan–poly(vinyl alcohol) (HA1‐PVA) gels are combined into an interpenetrating network (IPN) hydrogel. The IPN gel combines cell supportiveness of the collagen gel and stability of the HA1‐PVA gel. Moreover, cell adhesion is studied in particular and it is found that adhesion of neurons differs from that observed for fibroblasts. In conclusion, the HA1‐PVA‐col1 hydrogel is a suitable scaffold for neuronal cells and supports adhesion formation in 3D.
Recovery of CO2 Using Temperature‐Responsive Amine Gel Slurry
Authors: Amano Yuto , Nagasawa Yuma , Seida Yoshimi , Gotoh Takehiko , Furuya Eiji
Published: June 2019

Temperature‐responsive change in pKa of tertiary amines that are immobilized in the cross‐linked LCST polymer chains (temperature‐responsive amine gels) is applied to the separation and recovery of CO2 gas. Adsorption and desorption behaviors of CO2 gas on the temperature‐responsive amine gels are experimentally investigated using a temperature‐controlled gas‐liquid contact reactor with the slurries of the gels. Based on the control of the swelling volume of the temperature‐responsive gels via temperature swing, pKa of the amines in the gels was controlled. Influences of monomer composition in the gels and solvent composition in the slurry on the performance of CO2 recovery were investigated.
Customizing Volume Phase Transition of Thermo‐Responsive Hydrogels
Authors: Yoon Jinhwan
Published: June 2019

To tune the volume phase transition of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAm)‐based hydrogels, the chemical structure of the hydrogels is modified. A shift in the transition temperature, stepwise transition over a wide temperature range, and large thermal hysteresis for the crosslinked hydrogels could be achieved by copolymerization with hydrophobic or hydrophilic comonomers, preparation of multi‐component compositions, and grafting PNIPAm onto methylcellulose, respectively.
Multiple Network Hydrogels: A Study of Their Nanoindentation Hardness
Authors: Panteli Panayiota A. , Patrickios Costas S. , Constantinou Marios , Constantinides Georgios
Published: June 2019

Nanoindentation is employed to investigate at the nanoscale the mechanical properties of multiply‐interpenetrated N,N‐dimethylacrylamide hydrogels cross‐linked using N,N′‐methylenebis(acrylamide). The main result from these measurements is the determination of the hardness of the materials, that is, their resistance to penetration by the nanoindenter, which increases with network multiplicity, arising from the increase in network compactness with multiplicity. In addition to hardness, the nanoindentation elastic modulus and the percentage of recoverable energy are also determined, and both are found to increase with network multiplicity as well. A general conclusion from this study is that nanoindentation is a facile and fast method for the characterization of a number of mechanical properties of hydrogels, with the important advantage of small amount of sample required for the measurements.
New kink solutions for the van der Waals p‐system
Authors: Az‐Zo'bi Emad A.
Published: June 2019

The simple equation method and modified simple equation method are employed to seek exact traveling wave solutions to the (1 + 1)‐dimensional van der Waals gas system in the viscosity‐capillarity regularization form. Under the help of Mathematica, new classes of kink solutions are derived. Numerical simulations with special choices of the free parameters are displayed by three‐ and two‐dimensional plots. The two methods demonstrate simplicity, reliability, and efficiency.