bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prior breast density awareness, knowledge, and communication in a health system–embedded behavioral intervention trial
Authors: Mahorter Siobhan S. , Knerr Sarah , Bowles Erin J. Aiello , Wernli Karen J. , Gao Hongyuan , Schwartz Marc D. , O’Neill Suzanne C.
Published: January 2020

Background

Breast density is an important breast cancer risk factor and a focus of recent national and state health policy efforts. This article describes breast density awareness, knowledge, and communication among participants in a health system–embedded trial with clinically elevated breast cancer risk 1 year before state‐mandated density disclosure.

Methods

Trial participants' demographics and prior health history were ascertained from electronic health records. The proportions of women reporting prior breast density awareness, knowledge of density's masking effect, and communication with a provider about their own breast density were calculated using baseline interview data collected from 2017 to 2018. Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate associations between women's characteristics and density awareness, knowledge, and communication.

Results

Although the overwhelming majority of participants had heard of breast density (91%) and were aware of breast density's masking effect (87%), only 60% had ever discussed their breast density with a provider. Annual mammography screening was associated with prior breast density awareness (odds ratio [OR], 2.97; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.29‐6.81), knowledge (OR, 2.83; 95% CI, 1.20‐6.66), and communication (OR, 2.87; 95% CI, 1.34‐6.16) compared with an infrequent or unknown screening interval. Receipt of breast biopsy was also associated with prior knowledge (OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.04‐2.45) and communication (OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.00‐1.85).

Conclusions

Breast density awareness and knowledge are high among insured women participating in clinical research, even in the absence of mandated density disclosure. Patient‐provider communication about personal density status is less common, particularly among women with fewer interactions with breast health specialists.
Insulinoma‐associated protein 1 (INSM1) is a robust marker for identifying and grading pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors
Authors: Kim David , Viswanathan Kartik , Goyal Abha , Rao Rema
Published: January 2020

Background

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PNET) is a diagnostic challenge with limited samples in not only identification but grading. Prior studies have shown insulinoma‐associated protein 1 (INSM1) to be a robust marker in identifying PNETs from other solid pancreatic tumors on resection specimens. In this study, we investigated the utility of INSM1 not only for identifying PNETs but also for grading in cell blocks (CBs) and surgical resections (SRs).

Methods

A search for PNET cases between 2000 and 2019 identified 55 samples (26 CBs and 29 SRs) that were further separated into high (2 CBs, 3 SRs), intermediate (4 CBs, 7 SRs), and low (20 CBs, 19 SRs) grades based on their final pathology report and Ki‐67 level. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for INSM1 (C‐8, Santa Cruz Biotechnology [1:100]) was performed and quantified using an H score of 0 to 300. Non‐PNET solid pancreatic tumors were compared and included acinar cell carcinoma, solid pseudopapillary neoplasm, and ductal adenocarcinoma.

Results

All 55 cases of PNET demonstrated nuclear INSM1 staining. The average H scores for INSM1 staining of PNET were 254 and 252 in CB and SR, respectively. The H scores decreased with increasing tumor grade, with low‐grade (G1), intermediate‐grade (G2), and high‐grade (G3) tumors showing average INSM1 H scores of 229 and 253, 266 and 253, and 30 and 33 in both CB and SR, respectively.

Conclusion

IHC with INSM1 plays a role in identifying and potentially grading PNETs.
Comparison of 2 new real‐time polymerase chain reaction–based urinary markers in the follow‐up of patients with non–muscle‐invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Trenti Emanuela , Pycha Stefan , Mian Christine , Schwienbacher Christine , Hanspeter Esther , Kafka Mona , Spedicato Giorgio Alfredo , Vjaters Egils , Degener Stephan , Pycha Armin , D’Elia Carolina
Published: January 2020

Background

The objective of the current study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of 2 new real‐time polymerase chain reaction–based urinary markers with each other and with urinary cytology, cystoscopy, and/or histology in patients being followed for non–muscle‐invasive bladder cancer.

Methods

A total of 487 patients were enrolled in the study. Patients were evaluated using voided urine cytology, the Xpert Bladder Cancer Monitor, the Bladder EpiCheck test, and white light cystoscopy.

Results

The overall sensitivity was 27.17% for cytology, 64.13% for the Bladder EpiCheck test, and 66.3% for the Xpert Bladder Cancer Monitor. The overall specificity was 98.82% for cytology, 82.06% for the Bladder EpiCheck test, and 76.47% for the Xpert Bladder Cancer Monitor. The negative predictive value was very similar for the 3 tests at 83.56% for cytology, 89.42% for the Bladder EpiCheck test, and 89.35% for the Xpert Bladder Cancer Monitor. When combined, the Bladder EpiCheck test and Xpert Bladder Cancer Monitor detected overall 79.35% of the tumors: 70.37% in low‐grade and 92.11% in high‐grade tumors.

Conclusions

The Xpert Bladder Cancer Monitor and Bladder EpiCheck test were found to perform very well in terms of sensitivity. Together, the 2 tests detected approximately 92.11% of high‐grade tumors. Their specificity was high but could not reach the excellent value of cytology. The negative predictive value was the same for both tests and was higher than that for cytology, especially when the tests were used together (92.24%). These 2 new tests hold promise as urinary biomarkers. They may be used in combination to maximize sensitivity in a less invasive way, thereby reducing invasiveness in the follow‐up of patients with non–muscle‐invasive bladder cancer and decreasing discomfort for the patients as well as complications and costs.
Ultrafast Excited State Dynamics in a First Generation Photomolecular Motor
Authors: Sardjan Andy S. , Roy Palas , Danowski Wojciech , Bressan Giovanni , Nunes dos Santos Comprido Laura , Browne Wesley R. , Feringa Ben. L. , Meech Stephen R.
Published: January 2020

Efficient photomolecular motors will be critical elements in the design and development of molecular machines. Optimisation of the quantum yield for photoisomerisation requires a detailed understanding of molecular dynamics in the excited electronic state. Here we probe the primary photophysical processes in the archetypal first generation photomolecular motor, with sub‐50 fs time resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. A bimodal relaxation is observed with a 100 fs relaxation of the Franck‐Condon state to populate a red‐shifted state with a reduced transition moment, which then undergoes multi‐exponential decay on a picosecond timescale. Oscillations due to the excitation of vibrational coherences in the S1 state are seen to survive the ultrafast structural relaxation. The picosecond relaxation reveals a strong solvent friction effect which is thus ascribed to torsion about the C−C axle. This behaviour is contrasted with second generation photomolecular motors; the principal differences are explained by the existence of a barrier on the excited state surface in the case of the first‐generation motors which is absent in the second generation. These results will help to provide a basis for designing more efficient molecular motors in the future.
Activity and subsequent depression levels: a causal analysis of behavioural activation group treatment with weekly assessments over 8 weeks
Authors: Hoyer Jürgen , Hoefler Michael , Wuellhorst Verena
Published: January 2020

Research on behavioural activation (BA) for depression assumes that increasing the rate of rewarding activities leads to reduced depressive mood. Although the efficacy of BA treatment has been convincingly demonstrated, assumptions referring to the mechanisms underlying this effect have not been tested decisively yet. The Behavioural Activation Scale for Depression and the Beck Depression Inventory II were administered over 8 weeks in 161 reliably diagnosed patients with unipolar depression who underwent BA treatment in groups. Time‐lagged associations between behavioural activity on depression at subsequent assessment (1 week later) and vice versa were modelled (a) with multilevel models and (b) dynamic panel models that eliminate shared constant factors and allow for reverse causation (e.g., depression affecting subsequent activation in the model for activation on depression). Both activation and depression changed significantly (model‐based within effect sizes for activation = .70 and for depression = −.75). Higher activation and lower depression predict each other over time (mixed‐effects, time‐lagged model), but this association disappears in dynamic causal models. Change patterns were only analysed within a time frame of 1 week; smaller time intervals were not investigated. There were no objective observational data of activity patterns. In the present study, increased behavioural activity and reduced depressive mood co‐occur on the week scale. They predict each other across time, but this may be due to shared causes only.
Hydrothermal Liquefaction of α‐O‐4 Aryl Ether Linkages in Lignin
Authors: Lui Matthew Y. , Chan Bun , Yuen Alexander K. L. , Masters Anthony F. , Maschmeyer Thomas
Published: January 2020

By using lignin model compounds with relevant key characteristic structural features, the reaction pathways of α‐O‐4 aryl ether linkages under hydrothermal conditions are elucidated. Experimental results and computational modeling suggest that the α‐O‐4 linkages in lignin undergo catalyzed hydrolysis and elimination to give phenolic and alkenylbenzene derivatives as major products in subcritical water. The decreased relative permittivity of water at these high temperatures and pressures facilitates the elimination reactions. The alkyl group on the α‐carbon and the methoxy groups on the phenyl rings both have positive effects on the rate of conversion of α‐O‐4 linkages in native lignin.
Digital FPGA implementation of spontaneous astrocyte signalling
Authors: Haghiri Saeed , Ahmadi Arash
Published: January 2020

Astrocytes are the most abundant type of glial cells in the central nervous system (CNS). These non‐neuronal cells are able to regulate the neurons activity in the different parts of brain tissue by calcium waves generation in its internal space. Moreover, astrocytes interact with neurons and modulate the spiking activity of them. In this paper, a set of piecewise linear estimations of a three‐dimensional spontaneous astrocyte model are presented for digital FPGA realization. This leads to achieve a high‐speed and low‐cost system in large‐scale implementation. In this approach, the three‐dimensional original model is converted to a two‐dimensional one and the hardware overhead have been reduced, significantly due to eliminating the large number of multiplications in the original astrocyte model. Simulation results in MATLAB demonstrate that our method can mimic the original calcium waves in high degree of similarity. To validate our method in case of hardware, the proposed model has been tested and simulated in Modelsim software and also implemented on Spartan3 XC3S50 (TQ144) FPGA board. Hardware realization results show that the proposed model has high similarity by the simulation outputs. Consequently, this reduced‐model of astrocyte can be used in large‐scale networks because of its low‐cost hardware and high‐speed system.
Joint low‐complexity equalization and CFO estimation and compensation for UWA‐OFDM communication systems
Authors: Ramadan Khaled , Ramadan Khalil F. , Fiky Ahmed S. , Alam Hasna , Dessouky Moawad I. , Abd El‐Samie Fathi E.
Published: January 2020

Frequency synchronization has a great importance in preserving the performance of the underwater acoustic (UWA) orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems. The carrier frequency offset (CFO) estimation can be blind or data‐aided. In this paper, the Zadoff‐Chu (ZC) sequences are used for OFDM synchronization in UWA communications, and they are compared with different data‐aided algorithms. We propose a low‐complexity algorithm for CFO estimation based on ZC sequences. Also, a joint equalization and CFO compensation scheme for UWA‐OFDM communication systems is presented. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed CFO estimation algorithm allows estimation of the CFO accurately with a simple implementation in comparison with the traditional schemes. Also, the performance of the UWA‐OFDM system can be preserved in the presence of frequency offsets.
A comprehensive and systematic review of the network virtualization techniques in the IoT
Authors: Ramakrishnan Jayabrabu , Shabbir Muhammad Salman , Kassim Normalini Md , Nguyen Phong Thanh , Mavaluru Dinesh
Published: January 2020

Internet of Things (IoT) as one of the last technology in the network domain is an environment of associated physical objects that are reachable through the Internet. Virtualization as the primary technology of IoT has a significant role in its popularization. The visualization strategies have a great impact on the IoT, but, as far as we know, there is not a comprehensive and systematic study in this field. Also, there is no systematic and complete way to discuss and analyze the related strategies. Henceforth, a systematic survey of virtualization techniques is presented in this paper. Different parameters based on the examination of the prevailing methods are considered in three main categorizations. Furthermore, the benefits and weaknesses connected with selected techniques have been discussed, and the significant issues of these techniques are addressed to improve the more efficient virtualization technique for the future.
M‐RPSS: A modified RPSS for path scheduling of mobile sink in wireless sensor network
Authors: Kundaliya Brijesh , Hadia Sarman K.
Published: January 2020

In wireless sensor networks (WSNs), data gathering is the main concern, since it directly affects the network lifetime and data latency. Rendezvous Point Selection Scheme (RPSS) is a mobile sink node approach; it offers superior performance than its preceding mobile sink schemes like Rendezvous Design for Variable Track (RD‐VT), RD‐VT with Steiner Minimum Tree (RD‐VT‐SMT), and Weight Rendezvous Planning with Steiner Minimum Tree (WRP‐SMT). However, a more uniform distribution of the rendezvous node leads to less energy consumption in WSNs. The more optimum path offers less data latency. In the proposed approach, we use particle swarm optimization (PSO) to find the optimum rendezvous point and adaptive PSO (APSO) to find an optimum path by solving the travelling salesman problem. By rigorous simulation, we prove that modified RPSS (M‐RPSS) increases the network lifetime by more than 10% and decreases the data latency.
Neuroendocrine carcinomas: Cytological mimics and diagnostic dilemmas
Authors: Gupta Saumya , Gupta Parikshaa , Rohilla Manish , Gupta Nalini , Srinivasan Radhika , Rajwanshi Arvind , Saikia Uma N. , Dey Pranab
Published: January 2020

Background

Neuroendocrine carcinomas (NEC) are rare tumours with multiple morphologic mimics. The cytologist may miss these cases if not aware.

Aims and Objects

We focused upon the clinical presentation, cytological features and problems in the diagnosis of NEC.

Materials and Methods

We studied the detailed cytomorphology of 19 cases of NEC (histopathology proved).

Results

Of these 19 cases of NEC, 15 cases constituted fine needle aspiration (FNA) specimens, one transbronchial needle aspiration specimen, two pleural fluid specimens and a single biliary brushing specimen. All of the FNA specimens were from extra‐pulmonary sites (namely, breast, pancreas, liver and three lymph node FNAs). Eight of the 19 cases (42.1%) showed a significant disparity between cytological and histopathology diagnoses. The break‐up of discordant diagnoses are of adenocarcinoma (three cases), Ewing's sarcoma (one case), infiltrating ductal carcinoma (one case), lymphoma (one case), and squamous cell carcinoma (two cases). The cytology of NECs predominantly showed discrete, round to oval cells with a moderate amount of cytoplasm. The nuclei were pleomorphic, having prominent nucleoli. Occasional cases showed characteristic salt and pepper chromatin and were correctly diagnosed as a neuroendocrine group of tumours.

Conclusion

The accurate diagnosis of NEC depends on clinical correlation, meticulous screening for any obvious neuroendocrine features and cell block morphology. Immunohistochemistry is essential for ruling out of tumours of neuroendocrine origin. A Ki67 index is mandatory for grading of all neuroendocrine tumours.
Early lesion of the reticular thalamic nucleus disrupts the structure and function of the mediodorsal thalamus and prefrontal cortex
Authors: El Boukhari Hasna , Ouhaz Zakaria , Ba‐M'hamed Saadia , Bennis Mohamed
Published: January 2020

The thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN), part of the thalamus, is a thin GABAergic cell layer adjacent to the relay nuclei of the dorsal thalamus. It receives input from the cortex and other thalamic nuclei and provides major inhibitory input to each thalamic nucleus, particularly the mediodorsal nucleus (MD). As the MD is important for supporting optimal cortico–thalamo–cortical interactions during brain maturation, we hypothesized that that early damage to the TRN will cause major disturbances to the development and the functioning of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the MD. Rat pups at P4 were randomized in three groups: electrolytic lesion of TRN, TRN‐sham‐lesion group, and the classical control group. Seven weeks later, all rats were tested with several behavioral and cognitive paradigms, and then perfused for histological and immunohistochemical studies. Results showed that TRN lesion rats exhibited reduced spontaneous activity, high level of anxiety, learning and recognition memory impairments. Besides the behavioral effects observed after early TRN lesions, our study showed significant cytoarchitectural and functional changes in the cingulate cortex, the dorsolateral and prelimbic subdivisions of the PFC, as well as in the MD. The assessment of the basal levels of neuronal activity revealed a significant reduction of the basal expression of C‐Fos levels in the PFC. These experiments, which are the first to highlight the effects of early TRN lesions, provided evidence that early damage of the anterior part of the TRN leads to alterations that may control the development of the thalamocortical–corticothalamic pathways.
Preliminary examination of insulin and amylin levels in women with purging disorder
Authors: Maske Calyn B. , Williams Diana L. , Keel Pamela K.
Published: January 2020

Objective

This preliminary study explored whether differences in meal‐stimulated insulin or amylin release are linked to altered ingestive behaviors in individuals with bulimia nervosa (BN) or purging disorder (PD).

Method

Women with BN (n = 15), PD (n = 16), or no eating disorder (n = 18) underwent structured clinical interviews and assessments of gut hormone and subjective responses to a fixed test meal. Multilevel model analyses were used to explore whether gut hormone responses contribute to subjective responses to the test meal and whether these associations differed by group.

Results

Insulin and amylin levels significantly increased following the test meal. Women with PD showed greater insulin release compared to those with BN, but not controls. Multilevel models support significant group X insulin interactions predicting subjective ratings of nausea and urge to vomit, with a stronger association between higher insulin responses and higher nausea and urge to vomit in women with PD and BN. Amylin responses did not differ by group.

Conclusion

Increased sensitivity to the effects of insulin on nausea and urge to vomit may be linked to purging in both PD and BN. Differences in postprandial insulin levels may be linked to purging behavior in the absence versus presence of binge eating.
Disturbance macroecology: a comparative study of community structure metrics in a high‐severity disturbance regime
Authors: Newman Erica A. , Wilber Mark Q. , Kopper Karen E. , Moritz Max A. , Falk Donald A. , McKenzie Don , Harte John
Published: January 2020

Macroecological studies have established widespread patterns of species diversity and abundance in ecosystems but have generally restricted their scope to relatively steady‐state systems. As a result, how macroecological metrics are expected to scale in ecosystems that experience natural disturbance regimes is unknown. We examine macroecological patterns in a fire‐dependent forest of Bishop pine (Pinus muricata). We target two different‐aged stands in a stand‐replacing fire regime: a mature stand with a diverse understory and with no history of major disturbance for at least 40 yr, and one disturbed by a stand‐replacing fire 17 yr prior to measurement. We compare properties of these stands with macroecological predictions from the Maximum Entropy Theory of Ecology (METE), an information entropy‐based theory that has proven highly successful in predicting macroecological metrics in multiple ecosystems and taxa. Ecological patterns in the mature stand more closely matchMETEpredictions than do data from the more recently disturbed, mid‐seral stage stand. This suggestsMETE's predictions are more robust in late‐successional, slowly changing, or steady‐state systems than those in rapid flux with respect to species composition, abundances, and organisms’ sizes. Our findings highlight the need for a macroecological theory that incorporates natural disturbance, perturbations, and ecological dynamics into its predictive capabilities, because most natural systems are not in a steady state.
Heart failure disease management: a systematic review of effectiveness in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Kalogirou Fotini , Forsyth Faye , Kyriakou Martha , Mantle Rhys , Deaton Christi
Published: January 2020

Aims

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) poses a substantial challenge for clinicians, but there is little guidance for effective management. The aim of this systematic review was to determine if there was evidence that disease management programmes (DMPs) improved outcomes for patients with HFpEF.

Methods and results

A systematic review of controlled studies in English or Greek of DMPs including patients with HFpEF from 2008 to 2018 was conducted using CINAHL, Cochrane, MEDLINE, and Embase. Interventions were assessed using a DMP taxonomy and scored for complexity and intensity. Bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration tool. Initial and updated searches found 6089 titles once duplicates were removed. The final analysis included 18 studies with 5435 HF patients: 1866 patients (34%, study ranges 18–100%) had potential HFpEF (limited by variable definitions). Significant heterogeneity in terms of the population, intervention, comparisons, and outcomes prohibited meta‐analysis. Statistically significant or positive trends were found in mortality, hospitalization rates, self‐care ability, quality of life, anxiety, depression, and sleep, but findings were not robust or consistent. Four studies reported results separately for study‐defined HFpEF, with two finding less positive effect on outcomes.

Conclusions

Varying definitions of HFpEF used in studies are a substantial limitation in interpretation of findings. The reduced efficacy noted in contemporary HF DMP studies may not only be due to improvements in usual care but may also reflect inclusion of heterogeneous patients with HFpEF or HF with mid‐range EF who may not respond in the same way as HFrEF to individual components. Given that patients with HFpEF are older and multi‐morbid, DMPs targeting HFpEF should not rely on a single‐disease focus but provide care that addresses predisposing and presentation phenotypes and draws on the principles of comprehensive geriatric assessment. Other components could also be more targeted to HFpEF such as modification of lifestyle factors for which there is emerging evidence, rather than simply continuing the model of care used in HFrEF. Based on current evidence, HF DMPs may improve mortality, hospitalization rates, self‐care, and quality of life in patients with HFpEF; however, further research specifically tailored to appropriately defined HFpEF is required.
Biventricular pacemaker therapy improves exercise capacity in patients with non‐obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy via augmented diastolic filling on exercise
Authors: Ahmed Ibrar , Loudon Brodie L. , Abozguia Khalid , Cameron Donnie , Shivu Ganesh N. , Phan Thanh T. , Maher Abdul , Stegemann Berthold , Chow Anthony , Marshall Howard , Nightingale Peter , Leyva Francisco , Vassiliou Vassilios S. , McKenna William J. , Elliott Perry , Frenneaux Michael P.
Published: January 2020

Aims

Treatment options for patients with non‐obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are limited. We sought to determine whether biventricular (BiV) pacing improves exercise capacity in HCM patients, and whether this is via augmented diastolic filling.

Methods and results

Thirty‐one patients with symptomatic non‐obstructive HCM were enrolled. Following device implantation, patients underwent detailed assessment of exercise diastolic filling using radionuclide ventriculography in BiV and sham pacing modes. Patients then entered an 8‐month crossover study of BiV and sham pacing in random order, to assess the effect on exercise capacity [peak oxygen consumption (VO2)]. Patients were grouped on pre‐specified analysis according to whether left ventricular end‐diastolic volume increased (+LVEDV) or was unchanged/decreased (–LVEDV) with exercise at baseline. Twenty‐nine patients (20 male, mean age 55 years) completed the study. There were 14 +LVEDV patients and 15 –LVEDV patients. Baseline peak VO2 was lower in –LVEDV patients vs. +LVEDV patients (16.2 ± 0.9 vs. 19.9 ± 1.1 mL/kg/min, P = 0.04). BiV pacing significantly increased exercise ΔLVEDV (P = 0.004) and Δstroke volume (P = 0.008) in –LVEDV patients, but not in +LVEDV patients. Left ventricular ejection fraction and end‐systolic elastance did not increase with BiV pacing in either group. This translated into significantly greater improvements in exercise capacity (peak VO2 + 1.4 mL/kg/min, P = 0.03) and quality of life scores (P = 0.02) in –LVEDV patients during the crossover study. There was no effect on left ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony in either group.

Conclusion

Symptomatic patients with non‐obstructive HCM may benefit from BiV pacing via augmentation of diastolic filling on exercise rather than contractile improvement. This may be due to relief of diastolic ventricular interaction.

Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00504647.
Regio‐ and Enantioselective Substrate‐Directed Epoxidation
Authors: Sawano Takahiro , Yamamoto Hisashi
Published: January 2020

Substrate‐directed reactions are well recognized as important reactions to distinguish sterically and electronically similar reactive sites based on polar functional groups to realize regioselective reactions. Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation is a representative substrate‐directed reaction and known as an exceptional reaction to provide useful chiral epoxides from allylic alcohols. Despite the considerable development of the Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation over the last four decades, some difficult and challenging problems remain unsolved. This review describes three fascinating and attractive topics in enantioselective substrate‐directed epoxidation: (1) carboxylic acid‐ or amine derivative‐directed epoxidation, (2) regioselective epoxidation of non‐proximal alkenes, (3) enantioselective epoxidation of bishomoallylic alcohols.
Nuclear magnetic resonance study of the influence of the liquid nitrogen freeze‐thaw process on the pore structure of anthracite coal
Authors: Chu Yapei , Sun Haitao , Zhang Dongming , Yu Guo
Published: January 2020

In recent years, liquid nitrogen (LN2) fracturing technology has been applied in coalbed methane (CBM) development. However, the impact of the liquid nitrogen freeze‐thaw process on the pore structure of anthracite coal has not yet been systematically investigated. In this study, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging of coal samples after treatment with liquid nitrogen for different freezing times and freeze‐thaw cycles were performed to study the pore structure damage of anthracite subjected to the liquid nitrogen freeze‐thaw process as well as the variation in the porosity, fracture evolution, and permeability. The results show that the LN2 freeze‐thaw process can enlarge the pore size, enhance the pore connectivity, and form a fracture network on the surface of coal samples, which increases the total porosity, residual porosity, effective porosity, and permeability. This study provides a theoretical value for LN2 fracturing in the development of CBM.
Development of emulsion films based on bovine gelatin‐nano chitin‐nano ZnO for cake packaging
Authors: Sahraee Samar , Milani Jafar M. , Ghanbarzadeh Babak , Hamishehkar Hamed
Published: January 2020

This research extends the effect of packaging with bovine gelatin, gelatin nanocomposite (GN), gelatin emulsion (GE), two layers gelatin nanocomposite and gelatin emulsion (GNE), and polyethylene (PE) films on sponge cake properties during storage at 25°C and 55 ± 2% RH. In this regard, water vapor permeability (WVP) and oxygen permeability (OP) of films were compared. Then, moisture content, acidity, peroxide value, texture profile, organoleptic properties, and fungal growth of packed cakes were determined. Results showed that the addition of nanoparticles could reduce the water vapor permeability from 9.680 ± 0.460 × 10–10 (g m/sm‐2Pa‐1) for net gelatin film to 6.067 ± 0.337 × 10–10 (g m/sm−2 Pa−1) for gelatin nanocomposite film and oxygen permeability from 39.262 (cm3μm/ m2dkPa) for net gelatin film to 29.645 (cm3μm m−2 dkPa) for nanocomposite film. However, GNE films had the highest barrier properties. Results of acidity and peroxide values of cakes admitted the sufficiency of GNE films for sponge cakes packaging. In addition, antifungal properties of nanoparticles led to less fungal growth on cakes packed in GNE films. The cakes packed in GNE films own more organoleptic and texture acceptability than the ones packed in other films. Generally, according to the results GNE films are acceptable for packaging of sponge cakes which contain no preservative because this packaging can prevent fungal growth for a longer time and even more can maintain the cake chemical and organoleptic quality.
An efficient waste management system with municipal solid waste incineration plant
Authors: Ozturk Merve , Dincer Ibrahim
Published: January 2020

This study proposes a waste management system for metropolitan cities and presents a thermodynamic analysis and emission assessment of a municipal solid waste incineration plant operating with collected wastes from the 37 municipalities of Istanbul city, Turkey. A thermodynamic analysis of the proposed system shows that 53.72 MW of electricity generation and the heat of 99.4 MW for district heating are obtained with the municipal solid waste incineration. The energy and exergy efficiencies of the plant are 55.5% and 35.4%, respectively. The rate of exergy destruction for each component in the plant and their variation with ambient temperature is calculated. The maximum rate of destruction occurs for the combustion chamber as 44.02 MW. According to the emission assessment, total CO2 emission is 45 500 ton per year and this value can be reduced to 4550 ton per year with the addition of carbon capturing and storage unit. The other released emissions from the incineration plant such as CH4, N2O, CO, NH3, and non‐methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) are found to be 0.15, 34.36, 201.03, 16.08, and 20.10 ton per year, respectively. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Techniques of endoscopic nasopharyngectomy for localized stage I nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Liu You‐Ping , Xie Yu‐Long , Zou Xiong , You Rui , Yang Qi , Chen Ming‐Yuan
Published: January 2020

Background

Endoscopic surgery was widely applied as radical treatment for early cancer. We aimed to demonstrate the details of endoscopic nasopharyngectomy (ENPG) for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods

Before operation, we first defined the gross tumor volume (GTV) and surgical tumor volume (STV) for resection. STV was defined as gross tumor volume plus an additional 0.5‐1.0 cm peripheral mucosa margin and a 2‐3 mm basal margin on the surface skull base. The surgeon was required to follow this planned STV to remove the tumor.

Results

En bloc resection was achieved in the endoscopic operation, and multiple margin biopsies were proved pathologically negative. Comparison between preoperative and postoperative magnetic resonance imaging revealed that actual STV (aSTV) had contained the STV completely. Mostly, no death, recurrence, or distant metastasis was observed in this case during the 3‐year follow‐up.

Conclusions

Techniques of ENPG for treating newly diagnosed localized stage I NPC patients were feasible.
Neonatal surveillance for congenital Zika infection during the 2016 microcephaly outbreak in Salvador, Brazil: Zika virus detection in asymptomatic newborns
Authors: Oliveira João V. , Carvalho Tereza C.X. , Giovanetti Marta , de Jesus Jaqueline G. , Santos Cleiton S. , Pessoa Lorena B. , Magalhães Filho Cláudio F.Q. , Lima Jéssica G.S. , Carvalho Daniel A.X. , Figueiredo Eduardo M. , Biron Ana Carolina , dos Santos Daiana C. , Viana Paloma , Duarte Alan O. , Pessoa Rosana , Souza Gloryane B. , Calcagno Juan I. , Lima Fernanda W.M. , Alcantara Luiz C.J. , de Siqueira Isadora C.
Published: January 2020

Objective

To identify newborns with congenital Zika infection (CZI) at a maternity hospital in Salvador, Brazil, during the 2016 microcephaly outbreak.

Methods

A prospective study enrolled microcephalic and normocephalic newborns with suspected CZI between January and December 2016. Serology (immunoglobulins IgM and IgG) and quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) for the Zika virus were performed. Demographic and clinical characteristics of newborns with and without microcephaly were compared.

Results

Of the 151 newborns enrolled, 32 (21.2%) were classified as microcephalic. The majority of these cases were born between January and May 2016. IgM and IgG Zika virus antibodies were detected in 5 (23.8%) and 17 (80.9%) microcephalic newborn blood samples, respectively. Six (24%) microcephalic newborns tested positive for Zika virus by RT‐qPCR in urine or placenta samples. Thirteen (11.8%) normocephalic newborns also tested positive for Zika virus by PCR in urine, plasma, or placenta samples, while IgM antibodies against Zika were detected in 4 (4.2%) others.

Conclusions

Identification of 17 normocephalic CZI cases, confirmed by IgM serology or RT‐qPCR for Zika virus, provides evidence that CZI can present asymptomatically at birth. This finding highlights the need for prenatal and neonatal screening for Zika virus in endemic regions.
On the front line: Health professionals and system preparedness for Zika virus in Peru
Authors: Iguiñiz‐Romero Ruth , Guerra‐Reyes Lucia
Published: January 2020

Objectives

To analyze the initial healthcare response to the Zika virus in Piura, Peru, and assess the perceptions of midwives and nurses regarding their role in prevention of Zika virus and management of congenital Zika syndrome (CZS).

Methods

This ethnographic study used a rapid qualitative assessment design. Data were collected through a focus group with midwives and in‐depth interviews with midwives (n=11) and nurses (n=5).

Results

The focus of the early Zika virus response in Piura was on pregnant women and vector control. Midwives received some training on Zika‐related care during the early response. Nurses did not receive any Zika‐specific training. Neither nurses nor midwives were trained in neonatal CZS surveillance. Midwives were clear about the value and feasibility of incorporating Zika virus surveillance in their daily work, however nurses were not. They referred to lack of training and appropriate tools as limitations. Confusion about Zika virus and CZS symptomatology and effects persisted in both groups. Concerns about their own personal risk influenced the ways they engaged with Zika virus prevention in the community.

Conclusion

Long‐term management of endemic Zika virus in Piura will require the engagement of both nurses and midwives as primary care providers.
Anti‐Müllerian hormone as a marker of abortion in the first trimester of spontaneous pregnancy
Authors: Kostrzewa Marta , Żyła Monika , Garnysz Karolina , Kaczmarek Beata , Szyłło Krzysztof , Grzesiak Mariusz
Published: January 2020

Objective

To assess anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels as a marker of early abortion in the first trimester among women younger than 35 years.

Methods

Prospective study of women aged 18–34 years with a spontaneous pregnancy at less than 12.6 gestational weeks in Łódź, Poland, between January 2017 and November 2018. Cases of anembryonic abortion and assisted conception were excluded. Blood samples were collected and assayed for serum AMH levels. Data were compared between women with an embryo with no cardiac activity by ultrasound (n=30) and those with a normal embryo (n=33) by using Statistica12 software.

Results

The 10th and 90th percentiles of serum AMH concentration among control women were used to identify a reference AMH range (1.1–4.5 ng/mL). Risk of pregnancy loss in the first trimester was found to be higher for both low AMH (<1.1 ng/mL; relative risk [RR], 3.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.1–6.4; P<0.001) and high AMH (>4.5 ng/mL; RR, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.61–5.59; P<0.001).

Conclusions

Both very low and very high AMH concentrations were found to significantly increase the risk of abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy. Serum AMH might be a valuable marker to predict the risk of early abortion.
Nitric oxide reduction forming hyponitrite triggered by metal‐containing complexes
Authors: Wu Wun‐Yan , Liaw Wen‐Feng
Published: January 2020

Nitric oxide reduction yielding N2O is known as a route to detoxify nitric oxide (NO) to relieve nitrosative stress in pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Nitric oxide enzymes are classified into Cu/Fe‐heme NO reductases (NORs) and non‐heme flavindiiron NO reductases (FNORs). In biological system, the mechanism of NO reduction generating N2O was proposed to involve NO coordination to metal centers prior to producing cis/trans‐hyponitrite‐bound intermediate, and the subsequent protonation of hyponitrite‐bound‐Fe/Cu intermediates releases N2O. In this review article, we compile the recently published biomimetic model studies of NO‐to‐[N2O2]2− transformation triggered by the designed transition‐metal complexes. In biomimetic model study, the ON‐NO bond coupling of metal‐nitrosyl complexes yielding [N2O2]2−‐bound species may occur via either the inter/intramolecular radical‐[NO]−‐radical‐[NO]− coupling or metal‐[NO]2− radical coupling with exogenous NO˙. The H‐bonding interaction between hyponitrite and protic solvents promoting/stabilizing the formation of hyponitrite complexes was also demonstrated. In addition, the electronic structure of the designed transition‐metal‐nitrosyl complexes triggering the formation of [N2O2]2−‐bound species and the detailed NO‐to‐[N2O2]2− formation pathways were delineated.
Relevance research between the expression of p16INK4a, Notch1, and hTERC genes: The development of HPV16‐positive cervical cancer
Authors: Huo Wenyan , Zhai Shuaiyu , Wang Yanbo , Qiang Xin , Na Risu , Gui Hua , Wu Ningjin , Cao Yaning , Bai Haihua
Published: January 2020

Background

GLOBOCAN 2018 latest data show cervical cancer ranks fourth in morbidity and mortality among women. Many genes in cervical lesions differ in sensitivity and specificity. However, the diagnostic molecules for early cervical cancer are not very clear. This paper screens biomarkers for early molecular diagnosis of Mongolian patients with cervical cancer.

Methods

Immunohistochemical SP method was used to detect the expression of p16INK4a and Notch1 protein in paraffin sections of 226 Mongolian patients with HPV16‐positive cervical lesions after pathological examination, and 100 of them were randomly selected by fluorescence in situ hybridization to detect hTERC gene. The HPV16‐binding human cervical cancer SiHa cell line was used to silence the expression of HPV16 E6/E7 gene by RNA interference, and the expression of p16INK4a, Notch1, and hTERC genes and protein expression levels were detected by RT‐PCR and Western blot.

Results

The positive expression rates of p16INK4a, Notch1, and hTERC genes in HPV16‐positive cervical cancer, CIN‐III, CIN‐II, CIN‐I, uterine leiomyoma, and chronic cervicitis were significantly different (P < .05); the positive expression rates of the three genes were also significantly different in the same type of cervical lesions (P < .05); RNA interference can effectively inhibit HPV16 E6/E7, p16INK4a and Notch1 gene expression, but has no effect on hTERC gene expression.

Conclusion

The p16INK4a gene can be used as a biomarker for early screening of cervical cancer, and the hTERC gene can be used to confirm the clinical diagnosis of cervical cancer.
Mechanical stretch activates glycometabolism‐related enzymes via estrogen in C2C12 myoblasts
Authors: Feng Yu , Zhang Jin , Tian Xiangyang , Wu Jiaxi , Lu Jianqiang , Shi Rengfei
Published: January 2020

Moderate exercise improves glycometabolic disorder and type 2 diabetes mellitus in menopausal females. So far, the effect of exercise‐induced estrogen on muscular glycometabolism is not well defined. The current study was designed to explore the effect of mechanical stretch‐induced estrogen on glycometabolism in mouse C2C12 myoblasts. The mouse C2C12 myoblasts in vitro were assigned randomly to the control (C), stretch (S), and stretch plus aromatase inhibitor anastrozole (SA) groups. Cells in the S group were stretched by the Flexcell FX‐5000™ system (15% magnitude, 1 Hz frequency, and 6‐hr duration) whereas those in the SA group were treated with 400 μg/ml anastrozole before the same stretching. Glucose uptake, estradiol levels, PFK‐1 levels, and oxygen consumption rate were determined, and the expression of HK, PI3K, p‐AKT, AKT, and GLUT4 proteins were semiquantified with western blot analysis. Compared to the control, the estradiol level, oxygen consumption rate, expression of HK, PI3K, and PFK‐1 proteins, the ratio of p‐AKT to AKT, and the ratio of GLUT4 in the cell membrane to that in the whole cell were higher in the S group. On the other hand, the estradiol level, glucose uptake, expression of PFK‐1 and GLUT4 proteins, oxygen consumption rate, expression of HK protein, and the ratio of p‐AKT/AKT were lower in the myoblasts in the SA group than those in the S group. The level of estradiol was positively correlated with glucose uptake (p < .01, r = .818). Therefore, mechanical stretch‐induced estrogen increased the expression of glycometabolism‐related enzymes and proteins in the mouse C2C12 myoblasts.
The effect of lncRNA‐ARAP1‐AS2/ARAP1 on high glucose‐induced cytoskeleton rearrangement and epithelial–mesenchymal transition in human renal tubular epithelial cells
Authors: Li Lulu , Xu Li , Wen Si , Yang Ying , Li Xin , Fan Qiuling
Published: January 2020

The epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays an important role in diabetic renal fibrosis. The ARAP1 gene is located near risk alleles for Type 2 diabetes, and its function has been linked to cytoskeleton rearrangement, Golgi apparatus remodeling, and endocytic trafficking of membrane receptors. The role of ARAP1 and its antisense RNA, ARAP1‐AS2, in the pathogenesis of diabetes is unclear. To clarify the roles of ARAP1 and its antisense RNA in diabetes and related complications, we examined if the expression of these transcripts changed under high glucose (HG) conditions. To do this, we examined transcript levels in HK‐2 cells, and explored the roles of ARAP1 and ARAP1‐AS2 in the EMT process in HK‐2 cells. We found increased expression of ARAP1‐AS2 and ARAP1 in HK‐2 cells under HG condition, and observed that the overexpression of ARAP1‐AS2 significantly increased the EMT process. In addition, HG upregulated Cdc42‐GTP levels in HK‐2 cells, and increased cytoskeleton rearrangement, cell viability, and migration. After knockdown of ARAP1, the level of Cdc42‐GTP was decreased; cytoskeleton reorganization, cell viability, and migration processes were decreased; and EMT and expression of fibrosis marker protein. Overall, our results indicated that ARAP1‐AS2/ARAP1 may participate in cytoskeleton rearrangement and EMT processes in HK‐2 cells through increased Cdc42‐GTP levels.
Liver transplantation and cardiac illness: Current evidences and future directions
Authors: Jha Ajay Kumar , Lata Suman
Published: January 2020

Contraindications to liver transplantation are gradually narrowing. Cardiac illness and chronic liver disease may manifest independently or may be superimposed on each other due to shared pathophysiology. Cardiac surgery involving the cardiopulmonary bypass in patients with Child–Pugh Class C liver disease is associated with a high risk of perioperative morbidity and mortality. Liver transplantation involves hemodynamic perturbations, volume shifts, coagulation abnormalities, electrolyte disturbances, and hypothermia, which may prove fatal in patients with cardiac illness depending upon the severity. Additionally, cardiovascular complications are the major cause of adverse postoperative outcomes after liver transplantation even in the absence of cardiac pathologies. Clinical decision‐making has remained an unsettled issue in these clinical scenarios. The absence of randomized clinical studies has further crippled our endeavours for a consensus on the management of patients with end‐stage liver disease with cardiac illness. This review seeks to address this complex clinical setting by gathering information from published literature. The management algorithm in this review may facilitate clinical decision making and augur future research.
Preparation of novel azidopyrazole derivatives with anticipated cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities
Authors: Ewies Ewies F. , El‐Hussieny Marwa , El‐Sayed Naglaa F. , El‐Shazly Mohamed , Chen Yu‐Cheng , Liu Yi‐Chang
Published: January 2020

The reactions of azidopyrazole with some of primary amines and active methylene compounds were studied. Structures of the prepared compounds were identified using spectroscopic techniques. The reactions mechanisms were also proposed. The cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities were also examined for the newly synthesized compounds.