bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Independent association of marijuana use and poor oral hygiene with HPV–negative but not HPV–positive head and neck squamous cell carcinomas
Authors: Shewale Jitesh B. , Pickard Robert K. L. , Xiao Weihong , Jiang Bo , Gillison Maura L.
Published: February 2021

Background

Sexual behavior is associated with human papillomavirus (HPV)–positive head and neck cancer, whereas tobacco and alcohol use are associated with HPV–negative cancer. A case‐control study was designed to investigate additional demographic and behavioral factors independently associated with these distinct oral cancers.

Methods

From 2011 to 2014, 249 newly diagnosed oral cavity and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cases were matched (1:2) on age, gender, and self‐identified race to 498 controls without a cancer history attending the outpatient otolaryngology clinic at The Ohio State University in Columbus. Cases were stratified by detection of high‐risk HPV DNA and RNA in tumors. Demographic and behavioral data were collected using an audio computer‐assisted self‐interview, and associations with HPV–positive versus HPV–negative OSCCs were investigated by use of univariable and multivariable conditional logistic regression models.

Results

After adjustment for oral sexual behavior, the odds of HPV–positive cancer decreased with the patient's years of education. Annual income, tobacco smoking, alcohol drinking, marijuana smoking, and poor oral hygiene were not associated with HPV–positive OSCC. In contrast, the odds of HPV–negative OSCC increased independently with decreased annual income, decreased with a high number of marijuana hit‐years, and increased with fewer than annual dental visits after adjustment for lifetime tobacco and alcohol use. Sexual behavior and education were not associated with HPV–negative OSCC.

Conclusions

The distinct risk‐factor profiles for HPV–positive and HPV–negative OSCC are confirmed and extended in this case‐control study, thus supporting 2 principal etiological pathways for OSCC development.

Lay Summary

Sexually acquired human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is an established cause of tonsil and base of tongue cancers. This study compared and contrasted risk factors for HPV–positive and HPV–negative oral cancers.

Low number of years of education and sexual behavior are associated with HPV–positive cancer. In contrast, low annual income, infrequent dental visits, and tobacco and alcohol use are associated with HPV–negative cancers.

Long‐term marijuana use appears protective for HPV–negative cancer.

Public health efforts to address these modifiable risk factors may prevent oral cancer.
Examining reporting and representation of patients with cancer in COVID‐19 clinical trials
Authors: Rabow Maya , Wang Christine , Zhang Sylvia , Tahir Peggy Mary , Small Eric J. , Borno Hala T.
Published: February 2021

Background

Patients with cancer are particularly vulnerable in the current COVID‐19 pandemic. Emerging evidence suggests that patients with a cancer diagnosis are three times more likely to die from COVID‐19 compared to non‐cancer patients. Due to these observed risks, it is critical that emerging COVID‐19 therapies demonstrate safety and efficacy among patients with cancer.

Aim

This study sought to examine reporting and representation of patients with cancer among published COVID‐19 treatment‐related research studies.

Methods and results

All published COVID‐19 treatment‐related clinical research studies published from March 1 to August 20, 2020 recruiting from North America and Europe were identified. The date published, study design, therapeutics studied, and study population were evaluated. Of the 343 studies identified through initial search and researcher knowledge, 55 (16%) reported on COVID‐19 treatments. Twenty‐one COVID‐19 therapeutic studies (n = 15, prospective; n = 6, retrospective) that recruited from the United States and Europe were identified. Among these studies, eight (38%) reported on the number of trial participants with a cancer diagnosis in the publication and two (10%) specified tumor type. Four of the studies (19%) did not collect cancer history. Among studies where cancer history was available, patients with a cancer diagnosis participated at a proportion higher than overall cancer prevalence and greater than the known proportion of COVID‐19 patients with cancer.

Conclusion

This study observed that cancer history was not uniformly collected or reported among published COVID‐19 therapeutic studies. Among reported publications, we observed that patients with a cancer diagnosis were generally overrepresented. However, patients with a cancer diagnosis were notably underrepresented in outpatient COVID‐19 therapeutic studies.
Enforced sialyl‐Lewis‐X (sLeX) display in E‐selectin ligands by exofucosylation is dispensable for CD19‐CAR T‐cell activity and bone marrow homing
Authors: Sánchez‐Martínez Diego , Gutiérrez‐Agüera Francisco , Romecin Paola , Vinyoles Meritxell , Palomo Marta , Tirado Néstor , Zanetti Samanta Romina , Juan Manel , Carlet Michela , Jeremias Irmela , Menéndez Pablo
Published: February 2021

CD19‐directed chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) T cells induce impressive rates of complete response in advanced B‐cell malignancies, specially in B‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B‐ALL). However, CAR T‐cell‐treated patients eventually progress due to poor CAR T‐cell persistence and/or disease relapse. The bone marrow (BM) is the primary location for acute leukemia. The rapid/efficient colonization of the BM by systemically infused CD19‐CAR T cells might enhance CAR T‐cell activity and persistence, thus, offering clinical benefits. Circulating cells traffic to BM upon binding of tetrasaccharide sialyl‐Lewis X (sLeX)‐decorated E‐selectin ligands (sialofucosylated) to the E‐selectin receptor expressed in the vascular endothelium. sLeX‐installation in E‐selectin ligands is achieved through an ex vivo fucosylation reaction. Here, we sought to characterize the basal and cell‐autonomous display of sLeX in CAR T‐cells activated using different cytokines, and to assess whether exofucosylation of E‐selectin ligands improves CD19‐CAR T‐cell activity and BM homing. We report that cell‐autonomous sialofucosylation (sLeX display) steadily increases in culture‐ and in vivo‐expanded CAR T cells, and that, the cytokines used during T‐cell activation influence both the degree of such endogenous sialofucosylation and the CD19‐CAR T‐cell efficacy and persistence in vivo. However, glycoengineered enforced sialofucosylation of E‐selectin ligands was dispensable for CD19‐CAR T‐cell activity and BM homing in multiple xenograft models regardless the cytokines employed for T‐cell expansion, thus, representing a dispensable strategy for CD19‐CAR T‐cell therapy.
Recent research shows dismal outcome for community college enrollment after COVID‐19
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: February 2021

It's no secret that the pandemic has had far‐ranging and potentially devastating effects on higher education. Recent research has indicated that community colleges have been especially hit hard but the pandemic, causing drops in enrollment as well as drops in college persistence.
The Ethics of Repurposing Previously Collected Research Biospecimens in an Infectious Disease Pandemic
Authors: Berkman Benjamin E. , Mastroianni Anna C. , Jamal Leila , Solis Coleman , Taylor Holly A. , Hull Sara Chandros
Published: February 2021

In the early days of a pandemic, repurposing biospecimens from established research projects could prove to be extraordinarily useful in achieving substantial and timely public health benefits. Nonetheless, there are potential ethical and regulatory uncertainties that may impede access to those valuable biospecimens. In this article, we argue that there should be a presumption in favor of using previously collected identifiable research biospecimens without reconsent to directly address an infectious disease pandemic, assuming certain conditions are met. This argument fills a unique yet critical gap in decision‐making where the specific consent accompanying the identifiable biospecimens would not otherwise permit repurposing. Further, it suggests that even if gaining reconsent is feasible, doing so in a fast‐moving crisis is not necessary. This analysis also attempts to address the ethical concerns of public health authorities who already may have the power to use such specimens but are reluctant to do so.
Parasitoid‐mediated indirect interactions between unsuitable and suitable hosts generate apparent predation in microcosm and modeling studies
Authors: Monticelli Lucie S. , Desneux Nicolas , Heimpel George E.
Published: February 2021

Parasitoids used as biological control agents often parasitize more than a single host species and these hosts tend to vary in suitability for offspring development. The population dynamics of parasitoids and hosts may be altered by these interactions, with outcomes dependent on the levels of suitability and acceptance of both host species. Parasitism of individuals of an unsuitable host species may indirectly increase populations of a suitable host species if eggs laid into unsuitable hosts do not develop into adult parasitoids. In this case, the unsuitable host is acting as an egg sink for parasitoids and this can reduce parasitism of suitable hosts under conditions of egg limitation. We studied parasitoid‐mediated indirect interactions between two aphid hosts,Aphis glycines(the soybean aphid) andA. nerii(the milkweed, or oleander aphid), sharing the parasitoidAphelinus certus. While both of these aphid species are accepted byA. certus, soybean aphid is a much more suitable host than milkweed aphid is. We observed a drastic reduction of parasitoid offspring production (45%) on the suitable host in the presence of the unsuitable host in microcosm assays.Aphelinus certusfemales laid eggs into the unsuitable hosts (Aphis nerii) in the presence of the suitable host leading to egg and/or time limitation and reduced fitness. The impact of these interactions on the equilibrium population sizes of the three interacting species was analyzed using a consumer–resource modeling approach. Both the results from the laboratory experiment and the modeling approaches identifiedapparent predationbetween soybean aphid and milkweed aphid, in which milkweed aphid acts as a sink for parasitoid eggs leading to an increase in the soybean aphid population. The presence of soybean aphids had the opposite effect on milkweed aphid populations as it supported increases in parasitoid abundance and thus reduced the fitness and abundance of this aphid species.
Tetrameric Lanthanide‐Substituted Silicotungstate {Ln8Si4W40} Nanoclusters: Synthesis, Structural Characterization, Electrochemistry, and Catalytic Application for Oxidation of Thioethers
Authors: Khan Imran , Das Vivek , Teillout Anne‐Lucie , Mbomekallé Israël‐Martyr , de Oliveira Pedro , Sahoo Subash Chandra , Hussain Firasat
Published: February 2021

All the title nanoclusters 1–10 with the molecular formula [(Ln2SiW10O38)4(W3O8)(OH)4(H2O)2]26− [LnIII =Sm (1), Eu (2), Gd (3), Tb (4), Dy (5), Ho (6), Er (7), Tm (8), Yb (9), and Y (10)] have been synthesized and isolated as mixed sodium and potassium salts. These nanoclusters are characterized by various analytical techniques such as FT‐IR, UV/Vis, Photoluminescence, Single crystal X‐ray diffraction, Electrochemistry, ICP‐AES and Thermogravimetric analysis, and Powder X‐ray diffraction. The {Ln8Si4W40} complexes show high efficiency and selectivity for the oxidation of thioethers using H2O2 as green oxidant. It is worth mentioning that the catalyst can be recovered even after five cycles of reaction with only a slight loss in its activity.
Ultrafast Synthesis of Wavy Gold‐Silver Alloy Nanowires with Tunable Diameters in the Range of 2‐10 nm via a Seed‐Mediated Co‐Reduction
Authors: Wu Quansen , Zhang Gongguo , Ma Yanyun , Li Mengfan , Liu Feng , Huang Hongwen , Liu Maochang , Zheng Yiqun
Published: February 2021

We report an ultrafast synthesis of wavy gold‐silver (AuAg) nanowires with tunable diameters via a seed‐mediated co‐reduction. The success of current strategy relies on the use of an elevated reaction temperature to accelerate the synthesis to be completed within several minutes and the use of Au seeds with controlled sizes to enable the manipulation over their diameters in the range of 2–10 nm. The presence of chloride‐contained quaternary ammonium surfactant and excessive reductant have been demonstrated to be critical for the high‐yield formation of AuAg products with the unique morphology of wavy nanowire. Due to the advantage in size control, the size effect on the plasmonic behavior of AuAg alloy wavy nanowires is investigated, where the products with sub‐5 nm diameter exhibit a broad shoulder absorbance peak in their spectrum.
Development and validation of the Brief Assessment of Distress about Pain
Authors: Quentin Laura L. , Nelson Cecelia I. , Wright Casey D. , Arias Matthew C. , Mittinty Manasi M. , McNeil Daniel W.
Published: February 2021

Background

The experience of pain is a complex interaction of somatic, behavioural, affective and cognitive components. Negative psychological states (e.g., anxiety, fear and depression) are intertwined with pain and contribute to poorer outcomes for individuals suffering from chronic and acute pain by exacerbating the overall experience of pain and leading to increased dysfunction, disability, and distress. A need exists for efficient assessment of aversive emotional states that are associated with pain.

Methods

A multistage developmental process included expert judges, two undergraduate samples, and a chronic pain patient sample. The 4‐item Brief Assessment of Distress about Pain (BADP) scale was developed to assess anxiety, fear, and depression related to pain, as well as an overall evaluation of distress about pain.

Results

Principal components analyses indicated that the BADP consisted of one factor. Inter‐scale correlation coefficients revealed that the BADP was highly related to other measures that assess similar constructs, suggesting evidence for convergent validity. Intra‐scale correlation coefficients indicated that the items of the BADP were only moderately associated with each other. Findings also supported evidence for discriminative validity, test–retest reliability, and internal consistency of the BADP.

Conclusions

The BADP has good psychometric properties as a measure of negative affectivity related to pain. The scale's single negative affectivity item may be useful for screening. The BADP helps address a gap in the literature with regard to a brief measure assessing fear, anxiety, depression, and negative affect in relation to pain. Demonstrated utility in a patient sample indicates the measure is suitable for further clinical study.

Significance

The BADP provides an efficient, psychometrically‐supported means to assess affective distress (i.e., anxiety, fear, depression, and negative affect) associated with pain.
Pronounced increase in slope instability linked to global warming: A case study from the eastern European Alps
Authors: Savi Sara , Comiti Francesco , Strecker Manfred R.
Published: February 2021

In recent decades, slope instability in high‐mountain regions has often been linked to increase in temperature and the associated permafrost degradation and/or the increase in frequency/intensity of rainstorm events. In this context we analyzed the spatiotemporal evolution and potential controlling mechanisms of small‐ to medium‐sized mass movements in a high‐elevation catchment of the Italian Alps (Sulden/Solda basin). We found that slope‐failure events (mostly in the form of rockfalls) have increased since the 2000s, whereas the occurrence of debris flows has increased only since 2010. The current climate‐warming trend registered in the study area apparently increases the elevation of rockfall‐detachment areas by approximately 300 m, mostly controlled by the combined effects of frost‐cracking and permafrost thawing. In contrast, the occurrence of debris flows does not exhibit such an altitudinal shift, as it is primarily driven by extreme precipitation events exceeding the 75th percentile of the intensity‐duration rainfall distribution. Potential debris‐flow events in this environment may additionally be influenced by the accumulation of unconsolidated debris over time, which is then released during extreme rainfall events. Overall, there is evidence that the upper Sulden/Solda basin (above ca. 2500 m above sea level [a.s.l.]), and especially the areas in the proximity of glaciers, have experienced a significant decrease in slope stability since the 2000s, and that an increase in rockfalls and debris flows during spring and summer can be inferred. Our study thus confirms that “forward‐looking” hazard mapping should be undertaken in these increasingly frequented, high‐elevation areas of the Alps, as environmental change has elevated the overall hazard level in these regions.
Medical image fusion using Transfer Learning and L‐BFGS optimization algorithm
Authors: Jiang Jionghui , Feng Xi'an , Hu Zhiwen , Hu Xiaodong , Liu Fen , Huang Hui
Published: February 2021

Medical image fusion can effectively combine different images with different parts and complements each other, which is a hotspot in image processing. However, the medical image acquisition equipment usually obtains single image, so it is unable to use dataset to train convolutional neural network to extract stable image features. This paper proposes an approach using the Transfer Learning combined with the Limited Broyden, Fletcher, Goldfarb, and Shanno (L‐BFGS) optimization algorithm to achieve single medical image fusion. The Transfer Learning which includes pre‐trained model and parameters can be used as a feature extractor to extract or compress features in medical images. Firstly, different single medical images were input into the trained VGG16 Transfer Learning parameter model to extract image features, and then the maximum features between different images were obtained through feature comparison. Finally, L‐BFGS optimization algorithm is used to approximate the initial image features to the maximum features, to achieve the fusion effect (the initial image can be any image of the same size and depth as the source image). The experimental results show that the algorithm is effective and very suitable for medical image fusion.
Neoantigen‐based vaccines as a promising strategy in cancer immunotherapeutics
Authors: Koshy Anita G. , Rosenblatt Jacalyn , Avigan David
Published: February 2021

The development of cancer vaccines is based on the premise that tumor cells are potentially targetable by host immunity through the effective presentation of tumor‐associated antigens to reactive T‐cell populations. Vaccine efficacy may be limited by the functional properties of effector cells including the lack of high‐affinity T cells to target self‐antigens. In contrast, neoantigens arise from tumor‐specific mutational events that generate epitopes that are potentially seen as foreign by host immunity. As such, neoantigen‐targeted vaccination provides a high level of tumor specificity, promotes greater T‐cell effector function, and minimizes off‐target toxicities. Next‐generation sequencing and high‐throughput computational algorithms have allowed for the identification of neoantigens in solid tumor and hematologic malignancies. Vaccine generation involves the screening of potential epitopes based on HLA restriction and reactivity by the T‐cell repertoire. Early phase studies have demonstrated feasibility of vaccine production and resultant potent immunologic responses. The clinical impact of neoantigen vaccination and its incorporation into combinatorial immunotherapeutic strategies is currently being explored.
Barriers and measures to improve adoption of irrigation technologies: A case study from the Bundaberg region in Queensland, Australia*
Authors: Koech Richard , Haase Michelle , Grima Bree , Taylor Benjamin
Published: February 2021

Australia is the driest continent and is largely reliant on irrigation for efficient agricultural production. Irrigation uses significant volumes of water, and in recent decades many initiatives have been undertaken to improve efficiencies of irrigation systems and management practices. This paper analyses the perceptions and barriers to adoption of irrigation technologies and management practices in agriculture based on a field study undertaken in the Bundaberg region in Queensland, Australia. Overall, most farmers surveyed rated the efficiency of their irrigation systems very highly; nonetheless, more than half the farmers surveyed recognized that their systems and practices had the potential for further improvement through automation. Financial constraints and uncertainty around the economic viability of investing in certain agricultural technologies emerged as major barriers to adoption of available and emerging technologies that could improve irrigation efficiency. This is occasioned by insufficient evidence of the benefits of adopting these innovations. Issues suggested by the respondents for further extension, development and research align closely to known barriers to adoption of agricultural innovations. A key finding and recommendation of this study is that farm‐specific cost–benefit analyses of new irrigation technologies and practices are required to facilitate the decision‐making process for the improvement of irrigation efficiency.
Blue photobiomodulation LED therapy impacts SARS‐CoV‐2 by limiting its replication in Vero cells
Authors: Zupin Luisa , Gratton Rossella , Fontana Francesco , Clemente Libera , Pascolo Lorella , Ruscio Maurizio , Crovella Sergio
Published: February 2021

The study of any intervention able to counteract SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic is considerably envisaged. It was previously shown, in in vitro models of infections, that the LED blue light is able to decrease the viral load of HSV‐1 and ZIKV. In our study, LED photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) at blue wavelengths (450, 454 and 470 nm) was tested in an in vitro model of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, employing three experimental settings: SARS‐CoV‐2 was irradiated and then transferred to cells; already infected cells were irradiated; cells were irradiated prior to infection. A decrement of the viral load was observed when previously infected cells were irradiated with all three tested wavelengths and relevant effects were registered especially at 48 hours post‐infection, possibly suggesting that the blue light could interfere with the intracellular viral replication machinery. Our in vitro findings could represent the starting point for translational applications of PBMT as a supportive approach to fight SARS‐CoV‐2.
Effects of the association of the αvβ8 lower legs on integrin ligand binding
Authors: Song Guannan , Luo Bing‐Hao
Published: February 2021

Many integrins transmit signals through global conformational changes. However, it is unclear whether integrin αvβ8 adopts a similar mechanism during integrin activation and signaling on the cell surface. Here, we showed that disulfide‐bonded mutants, which prevented integrin αvβ8 lower leg dissociation, bound ligands with similar level as the wild‐type protein, suggesting that αvβ8 ligand binding did not require lower leg disassociation. We further showed that the N‐glycosylation mutant at the interface between the β I and hybrid domains did not affect ligand binding, suggesting that the αvβ8 open headpiece was not present on the cell surface. We proposed that αvβ8 integrin may adopt only one state, that is, the extended conformation with a closed headpiece. Our results showed that two lower legs retained heterodimeric interfaces, and this association might be important for stabilizing integrin in the extended conformation. Therefore, αvβ8 may not transmit bidirectional signals across the plasma membrane but instead may serve as an anchoring site with high affinity and high accessibility for extracellular ligands.
Ultraspeed synthesis of highly fluorescent N‐doped carbon dots for the label‐free detection of manganese (VII)
Authors: Mohammed Areef , Gugulothu Yaku , Bandi Rajkumar , Dadigala Ramakrishna , Utkoor Umesh Kumar
Published: February 2021

Here, we report ultraspeed preparation of highly emissive nitrogen‐doped carbon dots (NCDs) using threonine and guanidine hydrochloride by the microwave irradiation method. Experimental conditions such as microwave power, irradiation time, and reactant ratio were varied to achieve high‐quality NCDs. NCDs were thoroughly characterized using transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV–visible spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy. NCDs presented high aqueous solubility, bright emission with a quantum yield of 30%, and excitation‐dependent emission. Investigation of optical properties unveiled their admirable characters of tolerance to photobleaching, high salinity, pH, and long shelf life. Evaluation of their metal ion detection ability unveiled their selective fluorescence quenching response to Mn (VII), and further explorations revealed the application of NCDs as a label‐free probe for Mn (VII) detection. The probe presented a good linear response (R2 = 0.992) in the concentration range of 5–35 μM with a detection limit of 0.66 μM. Mechanistic studies disclosed that the inner filter effect was responsible for fluorescence quenching. The probe presented no significant interference and was successfully applied for the quantification of Mn (VII) in spiked real‐water samples.
IL-38 prevents induction of trained immunity by inhibition of mTOR signaling
Authors: de Graaf Dennis M , Teufel Lisa U , van de Veerdonk Frank L , Joosten Leo A B , Netea Mihai G , Dinarello Charles A , Arts Rob J W
Published: February 2021

Trained immunity is the acquisition of a hyperresponsive phenotype by innate immune cells (such as monocytes and macrophages) after an infection or vaccination, a de facto nonspecific memory dependent on epigenetic and metabolic reprogramming of these cells. We have recently shown that induction of trained immunity is dependent on IL-1β. Here, we show that recombinant IL-38, an anti-inflammatory cytokine of the IL-1-family, was able to induce long-term inhibitory changes and reduce the induction of trained immunity by β-glucan in vivo in C57BL/6 mice and ex vivo in their bone marrow cells. IL-38 blocked mTOR signaling and prevented the epigenetic and metabolic changes induced by β-glucan. In healthy subjects, the IL1F10 associated single nucleotide polymorphism rs58965312 correlated with higher plasma IL-38 concentrations and reduced induction of trained immunity by β-glucan ex vivo. These results indicate that IL-38 induces long-term anti-inflammatory changes and also inhibits the induction of trained immunity. Recombinant IL-38 could therefore potentially be used as a therapeutic intervention for diseases characterized by exacerbated trained immunity.
Early development of strike‐slip faulting: palaeoseismic study along the Petersen Mountain fault, northern Walker Lane, Nevada
Authors: De Masi Conni , Koehler Rich , Dee Seth , Keen‐Zebert Amanda
Published: February 2021

Characterising youthful strike‐slip fault systems within transtensional regimes is often complicated by the presence of tectonic geomorphic features produced by normal faulting associated with oblique extension. The Petersen Mountain fault in the northern Walker Lane tectonic province exhibits evidence of both normal and strike‐slip faulting. We present the results of geologic and geomorphic mapping, and palaeoseismic trenching that characterise the fault's style and sense of deformation. The fault consists of two major traces. The western trace displaces colluvial, landslide, and middle to late Pleistocene alluvial fans and is associated with aligned range front saddles, linear drainages, and oversteepened range front slopes. The eastern trace is associated with a low linear bedrock ridge, a narrow graben, right deflected stream channels, and scarps in late Pleistocene alluvial fan deposits. A trench on the eastern trace of the fault exposed a clear juxtaposition of disintegrated granodiorite bedrock against sand and boulder alluvial fan deposits across a steeply east‐dipping fault. The stratigraphic evidence supports the occurrence of at least one late Pleistocene earthquake with a component of lateral displacement. As such, the Petersen Mountain fault accommodates part of the ~7 mm/yr of dextral shear distributed across the northern Walker Lane.
Survival and complications with a surgical approach in advanced hypopharyngeal cancer
Authors: Galeano Machuca Maria Paz , Ng Deborah L. , Terng Shyuang‐Der , Wu Wen‐Ching , Cheng Chih‐Tao
Published: February 2021

Background and Objectives

The treatment paradigm for advanced hypopharyngeal cancer has shifted from surgical approaches to organ preservation. However, recent studies indicated that surgical approaches may be associated with better survival rates. This study aimed to conduct a head‐to‐head comparison of survival outcomes and complications with surgical versus nonsurgical approaches using a nationwide database.

Methods

Using a nationwide data set, we gathered 2196 propensity score‐matched patients with stage III/IVa hypopharyngeal cancer. We compared survival rates and complications among patients with surgical and nonsurgical cancer treatment.

Results

Patients with stage III and IVa hypopharyngeal cancer who underwent initial surgery had significantly better 5‐year overall survival and disease‐free survival rates compared to their nonsurgical counterparts. There were no significant differences in long‐term complications with regard to swallowing.

Conclusions

These results suggest that patients who underwent initial surgery for advanced hypopharyngeal cancers had better survival rates and equivalent long‐term function.
Mixed lubrication of coated angular contact ball bearing considering dynamic characteristics
Authors: Wu Jiqiang , Wang Liqin , He Tao , Wang Tingjian , Shu Kun , Gu Le , Zhang Chuanwei
Published: February 2021

A mixed elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) model for a coated angular contact ball bearing is developed by coupling the influence coefficients with the unified deterministic mixed EHL model. Based on the bearing quasi‐dynamics analysis, the influences of the surface roughness, coating thickness, and boundary friction coefficient on the mixed EHL performance of the coated bearing are discussed. The results reveal that high surface root‐mean‐square roughness can be detrimental to bearing lubrication performance and increase the risk of coating failures. Coating thicknesses on the order of a few microns have a limited effect on the contact load ratio, film thickness ratio, and friction coefficient while having a significant effect on the maximum surface tensile stress and interfacial shear stress, especially for high‐friction low‐speed conditions. A low‐friction self‐lubricating coating can effectively improve the tribological performance and prolong the service life of the bearing, especially in the bad lubrication state with severe asperity contacts.
High temperature solid/liquid lubrication behaviours of DLC films
Authors: Zhu Lili , Dong Jun , Zeng Qunfeng
Published: February 2021

The high temperature solid/liquid lubrication performances of DLC (diamond like carbon) films were investigated by a ball‐on‐disc tribometer under perfluoropolyether (PFPE) oil. The friction and wear behaviours of DLC films sliding against a Si3N4 ball at different friction pairs, sliding speeds and temperatures were evaluated systematically under dry friction. Moreover, tribological properties of DLC films were investigated under PFPE oils lubrication at elevated temperature. The experimental results show that the solid–liquid synergy lubrication is beneficial to improve the tribological properties of the steel‐related friction system and the tribological properties of the friction pair are significantly influenced by lubrication modes under PFPE oil lubrication, especially at high temperature. Tribotests show that the friction system exhibited low friction behaviours under PFPE oil due to the excellent thermal stability of PFPE oil. Coefficient of friction (CoF) of the friction system is as super low as 0.029 under PFPE oil.
Cucurbitacin I (JSI‐124)‐dependent inhibition of STAT3 permanently suppresses the pro‐carcinogenic effects of active breast cancer‐associated fibroblasts
Authors: Al‐Harbi Bothaina , Aboussekhra Abdelilah
Published: February 2021

Active cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which constitute the most preponderant cell type in breast tumors, contribute actively to all aspects of cancer progression, stimulate recurrence, and restrain drug sensitivity. In the present study, we tested the effect of the selective JAK/STAT3 inhibitor cucurbitacin I (JSI‐124) on active breast CAFs. We have shown that JSI‐124 at non‐cytotoxic concentration (20 nM) can inhibit the IL‐6/STAT3/NF‐κB positive feedback loop in breast myofibroblasts, which enabled persistent inactivation of these cells. Interestingly, JSI‐124 treatment suppressed the paracrine promotion of the epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) process and the pro‐migratory/‐invasive and ‐proliferative effects of CAFs on breast cancer cells in vitro. Similarly, JSI‐124 inhibited the capacity of CAF cells in promoting tumor growth, EMT, stemness as well as angiogenesis in orthotopic humanized breast cancer tumors. Together, these findings indicate that JSI‐124‐dependent inhibition of STAT3 could be of great therapeutic value for the treatment of breast cancer through targeting cancer cells as well as their growth supportive stromal fibroblasts and blood vessels. This could pave the path to developing a precise CAF‐targeted anticancer therapy.
Three‐dimensional multipath DenseNet for improving automatic segmentation of glioblastoma on pre‐operative multimodal MR images
Authors: Fu Jie , Singhrao Kamal , Qi X. Sharon , Yang Yingli , Ruan Dan , Lewis John H.
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Convolutional neural networks have achieved excellent results in automatic medical image segmentation. In this study, we proposed a novel three‐dimensional (3D) multipath DenseNet for generating the accurate glioblastoma (GBM) tumor contour from four multimodal pre‐operative MR images. We hypothesized that the multipath architecture could achieve more accurate segmentation than a singlepath architecture.

Methods

Two hundred and fifty‐eight GBM patients were included in this study. Each patient had four MR images (T1‐weighted, contrast‐enhanced T1‐weighted, T2‐weighted, and FLAIR) and the manually segmented tumor contour. We built a 3D multipath DenseNet that could be trained to achieve an end‐to‐end mapping from four MR images to the corresponding GBM tumor contour. A 3D singlepath DenseNet was also built for comparison. Both DenseNets were based on the encoder‐decoder architecture. All four images were concatenated and fed into a single encoder path in the singlepath DenseNet, while each input image had its own encoder path in the multipath DenseNet. The patient cohort was randomly split into a training set of 180 patients, a validation set of 39 patients, and a testing set of 39 patients. Model performance was evaluated using the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), average surface distance (ASD), and 95% Hausdorff distance (HD95%). Wilcoxon signed‐rank tests were conducted to assess statistical significances.

Results

The singlepath DenseNet achieved the DSC of 0.911 ± 0.060, ASD of 1.3 ± 0.7 mm, and HD95% of 5.2 ± 7.1 mm, while the multipath DenseNet achieved the DSC of 0.922 ± 0.041, ASD of 1.1 ± 0.5 mm, and HD95% of 3.9 ± 3.3 mm. The P‐values of all Wilcoxon signed‐rank tests were less than 0.05.

Conclusions

Both DenseNets generated GBM tumor contours in good agreement with the manually segmented contours from multimodal MR images. The multipath DenseNet achieved more accurate tumor segmentation than the singlepath DenseNet. Here presented the 3D multipath DenseNet that demonstrated an improved accuracy over comparable algorithms in the clinical task of GBM tumor segmentation.
Super‐resolution head and neck MRA using deep machine learning
Authors: Koktzoglou Ioannis , Huang Rong , Ankenbrandt William J. , Walker Matthew T. , Edelman Robert R.
Published: February 2021

Purpose

To probe the feasibility of deep learning‐based super‐resolution (SR) reconstruction applied to nonenhanced MR angiography (MRA) of the head and neck.

Methods

High‐resolution 3D thin‐slab stack‐of‐stars quiescent interval slice‐selective (QISS) MRA of the head and neck was obtained in eight subjects (seven healthy volunteers, one patient) at 3T. The spatial resolution of high‐resolution ground‐truth MRA data in the slice‐encoding direction was reduced by factors of 2 to 6. Four deep neural network (DNN) SR reconstructions were applied, with two based on U‐Net architectures (2D and 3D) and two (2D and 3D) consisting of serial convolutions with a residual connection. SR images were compared to ground‐truth high‐resolution data using Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), structural similarity index measure (SSIM), arterial diameter, and arterial sharpness measurements. Image review of the optimal DNN SR reconstruction was done by two experienced neuroradiologists.

Results

DNN SR of up to twofold and fourfold lower‐resolution (LR) input volumes provided images that resembled those of the original high‐resolution ground‐truth volumes for intracranial and extracranial arterial segments, and improved DSC, SSIM, arterial diameters, and arterial sharpness relative to LR volumes (P < .001). The 3D DNN SR outperformed 2D DNN SR reconstruction. According to two neuroradiologists, 3D DNN SR reconstruction consistently improved image quality with respect to LR input volumes (P < .001).

Conclusion

DNN‐based SR reconstruction of 3D head and neck QISS MRA offers the potential for up to fourfold reduction in acquisition time for neck vessels without the need to commensurately sacrifice spatial resolution.
Level‐wise strain recovery and error estimation for natural element hierarchical plate models
Authors: Cho Jin‐Rae
Published: February 2021

Differing from the finite element method, most of mesh‐free methods are restricted to two‐dimensional (2D) problems owing to the difficulty in constructing three‐dimensional (3D) grids. But, for 3D elastic structures, this limitation could be effectively overcome when hierarchical models are employed. In the hierarchical models of elastic structures, only the in‐plane displacement field is needed to be approximated because the thickness‐wise displacement field is assumed by polynomials. In this context, this paper is concerned with the reliable numerical implementation of hierarchical models for plate‐like structures using 2D natural element method (NEM). However, one critical problem in implementing the hierarchical model is to secure the continuity in strain and stress fields. To resolve this problem, this paper presents a level‐wise strain recovery method. In addition, a recovery‐based error estimation is introduced to predict the modeling error and the numerical approximation error. The proposed methods are illustrated and validated through the numerical experiments. It is confirmed that the level‐wise strain recovery successfully and CPU‐time effectively provides the continuous stress resultants and the proposed error estimator accurately predicts the modeling and approximation errors.
Structural analysis of composite tubes using a meshless analytical dimensional reduction method
Authors: Moshir Saeid Khadem , Hoa Suong Van , Shadmehri Farjad
Published: February 2021

A polynomial‐based model in conjunction with dimensional reduction method are presented to perform cross‐sectional analysis and to determine strain distribution in composite tubes under bending loading. For beam structures with tubular cross‐section, the Variational Asymptotic Method (VAM) has been employed to decompose a three‐dimensional (3D) elasticity problem into a two‐dimensional cross‐sectional analysis and a one‐dimensional analysis along the length. This greatly reduces computational time as compared to 3D Finite Element Method (FEM). There also exists publically available Variational Asymptotic Beam Sectional Analysis (VABS), a FEM cross‐sectional analysis tool based on VAM. For VABS, FEM mesh for the beam section needs to be generated. For the case of composite tubes with many layers, the mesh generation consumes efforts and is unnecessary. We introduce a new meshless dimensional reduction method for the analysis of composite tubes. This method utilizes Pascal polynomials in polar coordinates to model the warping functions. Using this, one can obtain stiffness constants and 3D strains of the composite tube. This method is straightforward, meshless, with similar computation time as VABS, and is much more efficient than conventional 3D FEM. The accuracy of the proposed method is examined by comparing the obtained results with 3D FE (ANSYS), VABS, literature, and experiment.
Influencing factors and strategy to the career planning of operating room nurses
Authors: Yan Yan , Li Li , Tang Juan , Zhang Ting , Zhai Yonghua
Published: February 2021

Aim

This study aims to investigate the status quo of self‐career planning of nurses working in operating rooms (OR) and analyse the influencing factors.

Methods

A total of 1,418 nurses working in OR were selected and surveyed using a general data questionnaire, a nurse career planning questionnaire and an organizational career management questionnaire.

Results

Multiple linear regression analysis showed that organizational career management perception, hospital‐grade and monthly income were the influencing factors of self‐career planning score of nurses working in OR, which could explain the 56.6% variation of career organization management.

Conclusion

The status quo of self‐career planning in OR nurse was at the middle level, and the scores of different dimensions were not balanced. Reasonable self‐career planning helps the OR nurses improve their professional skills and increase their commitment to work and satisfaction.
Quality assessment of leaf extracts of 12 olive cultivars and impact of seasonal variation based on UV spectroscopy and phytochemcial content using multivariate analyses
Authors: Kabbash Eman M. , Ayoub Iriny M. , Gad Haidy A. , Abdel‐Shakour Zeinab T. , El‐Ahmady Sherweit H.
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Recently, focus has been made on the health‐oriented uses of olive leaves, a byproduct of olive production, as a potential source of antioxidants. Oleuropein is one of the phenolic components in olive leaves known for its high antioxidant value.

Objective

The main aim of the current study was constructing a model for the quality assessment of olive leaves and their potential phytochemical content and hence biological value as well. The phytochemical variation in olive leaves in both flowering (spring) and fruiting seasons (autumn) was also investigated.

Methods

In this study, the leaves of 12 different olive cultivars from different geographical origins growing in Egypt were assessed for their oleuropein content, total flavonoid (TF) content and total polyphenol (Pph) content in spring and autumn via ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy and high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to multivariate data analyses. The antioxidant activity of olive leaf extracts was assessed using 2,2′‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay.

Results

Higher levels of oleuropein, TF and Pph content were found in spring with the highest oleuropein content in the Spanish cultivar; Manzanillo, followed by the Italian cultivar Coratina and the Egyptian Agizi Okasi (218.94, 151.58 and 122.18 mg/100 g of dried leaf extract, respectively). UV spectra was also measured and the collected data were coupled to multivariate analyses showing clustering of cultivars with common geographical origin.

Conclusion

Our findings emphasised the influence of collection time and type of cultivar on the chemical profile of olive leaves. The model presented herein, serves for the quality assessment of olive leaves based on their phytochemical profile.
Dopaminergic and neurotrophic genetic polymorphisms modulate the implicit gender–science stereotype
Authors: Luo Yu L. L. , Chen Jie , Wang Yuqi , Li Xinying , Cai Huajian
Published: February 2021

Genetic approaches to both the gender–science stereotype and implicit social cognition have received increasing attention in recent years. We explored whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in dopaminergic and neurotrophic systems (i.e., COMT, BDNF genotypes) explain variations in the implicit gender–science stereotype. We genotyped 413 adolescents and assessed their implicit gender–science stereotype with the Implicit Association Test. Replication on a subsample (N = 312) was conducted 2 years later. Results showed that SNP‐level variations within the COMT and BDNF genes were consistently associated with the implicit gender–science stereotype in both investigations. These findings suggest that variants in the COMT and BDNF genes may contribute to the variation of implicit gender–science stereotype.
Study on droplet deformation of an immiscible fluid system by selective radiation heat using infrared laser
Authors: Mu'min Gea Fardias , Tatsuya Kawaguchi , Saito Takushi
Published: February 2021

The droplet deformation's mechanism in a simple shear flow is well understood, but most studies only considered a uniform temperature field of immiscible droplet systems. This research investigates the possible droplet deformation and visualizes its evolution under selective radiation heating, which is a novel method to modify droplet dispersion via thermo‐physical mechanism. Polybutenes and PDMS silicone oils were employed as the dispersed droplet phase and matrix phase, respectively. Results showed that the mean value of the droplet's modified deformation parameter was limited to 0.12 and 0.08 at an isothermal ambient room temperature having a viscosity ratio of 4.32 and 17.69, respectively. The droplet under selective radiation was visualized. Experimental investigation showed that the selective radiation method enhanced the droplet deformation, as confirmed by the obtained droplet image during laser irradiation process, even allowing droplet breakup. At a moderate level of viscosity ratio (4.32), selective radiation can be applied effectively, whereas at a higher level of viscosity ratio (17.69), droplet elongation‐breakup and droplet retraction were observed.