bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Multicenter, Randomized, Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled Study of Compound Glycyrrhizin Capsules Combined with a Topical Corticosteroid in Adults with Chronic Eczema
Authors: Xu Wei , Li Yan , Ju Mei , Lai Wei , Lu Xueyan , Shi Huijuan , Shi Weimin , Gu Heng , Li Linfeng
Published: March 2020

Background. Glycyrrhizin is widely used in skin disorders, such as psoriasis, alopecia areata, and allergic diseases, but has not been extensively studied in patients with chronic eczema. Objective. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral compound glycyrrhizin (OCG) plus topical corticosteroid (TCS) in adults with chronic eczema. Methods. This was a multicenter, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study in patients with chronic eczema (n = 199). Randomized participants from 6 centers in China received either 75 mg OCG capsules or placebo capsules three times a day and TCS (i.e., 0.1% mometasone furoate ointment) once a day for 28 days. Efficacy was determined by analyzing the mean change from the baseline using standardized measures including the Investigator’s Global Assessment (IGA) score, Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), and the visual analogue scale score (VAS) of itching. Results. Decreases in absolute EASI were significantly greater in the OCG‐treated group versus placebo on day 14 (−3.41 ± 1.41 vs. −2.71 ± 1.25, P < 0.001) and day 28 (−7.39 ± 1.71 vs. −6.64 ± 1.75, P = 0.003). OCG‐treated patients also saw greater benefit in other EASI metrics including EASI‐50 (96.8% vs. 87.9%, P = 0.021) and EASI‐75 (47.9% vs. 21.2%, P < 0.001) on day 28 compared with placebo. The absolute IGA score reductions were also significantly greater in the OCG group than the placebo (all P < 0.05). In addition, proportions of patients who achieve clear (0) IGA scores or almost clear (1) IGA scores were significantly higher in the treated group than placebo on day 14 (22.8% vs. 6.2%, P = 0.001) and day 28 (93.5% vs. 79.4%, P = 0.005). Moreover, the proportions of patients with reduced pruritus were significantly greater in the treated group than placebo on day 28 (94.7% vs. 83.8%, P = 0.016) and eczema recurrence was notably less in the OCG group versus placebo (3.19% vs. 12.12%, P = 0.021). Eleven patients experienced adverse events, but there was no significant difference in the proportion of patients affected (3.0% vs. 8.5%, P > 0.05). The most common adverse events were edema of both lower limbs. Conclusion. For adults with chronic eczema, OCG capsules combined with TCS is an effective and well‐tolerated treatment, suggesting that OCG may be a useful nonsteroidal agent with an additional effect for the treatment of chronic eczema by TCS.
Kaji-Ichigoside F1 and Rosamultin Protect Vascular Endothelial Cells against Hypoxia-Induced Apoptosis via the PI3K/AKT or ERK1/2 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Shi Chaofeng , Zhan Li , Wu Yuqiang , Li Zhengchao , Li Jianyu , Li Yaxiao , Wei Jinxia , Zhang Yongliang , Li Lingzhi
Published: March 2020

As a pair of differential isomers, Kaji-ichigoside F1 and Rosamultin are both pentacyclic triterpenoids isolated from the subterranean root of Potentilla anserina L., a plant used in folk medicine in western China as antihypoxia and anti-inflammatory treatments. We demonstrated that Kaji-ichigoside F1 and Rosamultin effectively prevented hypoxia-induced apoptosis in vascular endothelial cells. We established a hypoxia model, using EA.hy926 cells, to further explore the mechanisms. Hypoxia promoted the phosphorylation of AKT, ERK1/2, and NF-κB. In hypoxic cells treated with Kaji-ichigoside F1, p-ERK1/2 and p-NF-κB levels were increased, while the level of p-AKT was decreased. Treatment with Rosamultin promoted phosphorylation of ERK1/2, NF-κB, and AKT in hypoxic cells. Following the addition of LY294002, the levels of p-AKT, p-ERK1/2, and p-NF-κB decreased significantly. Addition of PD98059 resulted in reduced levels of p-ERK1/2 and p-NF-κB, while p-AKT levels were increased. Pharmacodynamic analysis demonstrated that both LY294002 and PD98059 significantly inhibited the positive effects of Kaji-ichigoside F1 on cell viability during hypoxia, consistent with the results of hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining, DAPI staining, and flow cytometry. The antihypoxia effects of Rosamultin were remarkably inhibited by LY294002 but promoted by PD98059. In Kaji-ichigoside F1- and Rosamultin-treated cells, Bcl2 expression was significantly upregulated, while expression of Bax and cytochrome C and levels of cleaved caspase-9 and cleaved caspase-3 were reduced. Corresponding to pharmacodynamic analysis, LY294002 inhibited the regulatory effects of Kaji-ichigoside F1 and Rosamultin on the above molecules, while PD98059 inhibited the regulatory effects of Kaji-ichigoside F1 but enhanced the regulatory effects of Rosamultin. In conclusion, Kaji-ichigoside F1 protected vascular endothelial cells against hypoxia-induced apoptosis by activating the ERK1/2 signaling pathway, which positively regulated the NF-κB signaling pathway and negatively regulated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Rosamultin protected vascular endothelial cells against hypoxia-induced apoptosis by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and positively regulating ERK1/2 and NF-κB signaling pathways.
Validation of an Individualized Measure of Quality of Life, Patient Generated Index, for Use with People with Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Kuspinar Ayse , Mate Kedar K. V. , Lafontaine Anne-Louise , Mayo Nancy
Published: March 2020

Introduction. Parkinson’s disease (PD) affects all aspects of an individual’s life and is heterogeneous across people and time. The Patient Generated Index (PGI) is an individualized measure of quality of life (QOL) that allows patients to identify the areas of life that are important to them. Although the PGI has immense potential for use in clinical and research settings, its validity has not been assessed in PD. The purpose of this study is to estimate how well areas of QOL that patients with PD nominate on the PGI agree with ratings obtained from standard outcome measures. Methods. Patients with PD completed the PGI and various standard patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures. The PGI and standard PRO measures were compared at the total score, domain, and item levels. Pearson’s correlations and independent t-tests were used, as well as positive and negative predictive values. Results. The sample (n = 76) had a mean age of 69 (standard deviation 9) and were predominantly men (59%). The PGI was moderately correlated (r = −0.35) with the standardized disease-specific QOL measure Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-8). Within one severity rating, agreement between the PGI and different standard outcome measures ranged from 85 to 100% for walking, 69 to 100% for fatigue, 38 to 75% for depression, and 20 to 80% for memory/concentration. Conclusion. This study demonstrates that nominated areas of QOL on the PGI provide comparable results to standard PRO measures, and provides evidence in support of the validity of this individualized measure in PD.
Optimization of an On-Grid Inverter for PV Applications Using Genetic Algorithms
Authors: Ammous Anis , Alahdal Abdulrahman , Ammous Kaiçar
Published: March 2020

A new approach to the optimal design of power inverters for on-grid photovoltaic systems that uses genetic algorithms (GA) is provided in this article. The nonlinear average model is adopted to model the conversion stage in order to accurately evaluate and quickly estimate the power losses of the power devices. The hysteresis current control that guarantees a quasi-sinusoidal output current is applied to generate the inverter control signals. The design of the solar inverter must meet three contradictory objectives that need to be optimized at the same time. In fact, the aim is to maximize the efficiency of the converter while minimizing its size and price under electrical constraints. The problem variables are the output current ripple and the passive and active components available on the market (IGBTs/MOSFETs, Diodes, Inductors). NSGA-II (Elitist Nondominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm) is appropriate in the case where discrete design variables are used to search for optimal Pareto solutions. It carries out a systematic and efficient search among the developed databases for a set of components which define the optimal structures of the inverter. The introduced method makes the design task easier since the best solutions depend on the components available on the market and significantly reduces the time to market for manufacturers.
Zagreb Connection Indices of Molecular Graphs Based on Operations
Authors: Cao Jinde , Ali Usman , Javaid Muhammad , Huang Chuangxia
Published: March 2020

Topological index (numeric number) is a mathematical coding of the molecular graphs that predicts the physicochemical, biological, toxicological, and structural properties of the chemical compounds that are directly associated with the molecular graphs. The Zagreb connection indices are one of the TIs of the molecular graphs depending upon the connection number (degree of vertices at distance two) appeared in 1972 to compute the total electron energy of the alternant hydrocarbons. But after that, for a long period, these are not studied by researchers. Recently, Ali and Trinajstic Mol. Inform. 372018,1−7 restudied the Zagreb connection indices and reported that the Zagreb connection indices comparatively to the classical Zagreb indices provide the better absolute value of the correlation coefficient for the thirteen physicochemical properties of the octane isomers (all these tested values have been taken from the website http://www.moleculardescriptors.eu). In this paper, we compute the general results in the form of exact formulae & upper bounds of the second Zagreb connection index and modified first Zagreb connection index for the resultant graphs which are obtained by applying operations of corona, Cartesian, and lexicographic product. At the end, some applications of the obtained results for particular chemical structures such as alkanes, cycloalkanes, linear polynomial chain, carbon nanotubes, fence, and closed fence are presented. In addition, a comparison between exact and computed values of the aforesaid Zagreb indices is also included.
On Randomized Sampling Kaczmarz Method with Application in Compressed Sensing
Authors: Sun Mei-Lan , Gu Chuan-Qing , Tang Peng-Fei
Published: March 2020

We propose a randomized sampling Kaczmarz algorithm for the solution of very large systems of linear equations by introducing a maximal sampling probability control criterion, which is aimed at grasping the largest entry of the absolute sampling residual vector at each iteration. This new method differs from the greedy randomized Kaczmarz algorithm, which needs not to compute the residual vector of the whole linear system to determine the working rows. Numerical experiments show that the proposed algorithm has the most significant effect when the selected row number, i.e, the size of samples, is equal to the logarithm of all rows. Finally, we extend the randomized sampling Kaczmarz to signal reconstruction problems in compressed sensing. Signal experiments show that the new extended algorithm is more effective than the randomized sparse Kaczmarz method for online compressed sensing.
Investigation of Unmeasured Parameters Estimation for Distributed Control Systems
Authors: Wang Hao , Xie Shousheng , Wang Weixuan , Wang Lei , Peng Jingbo
Published: March 2020

The problem of unmeasured parameters estimation for distributed control systems is studied in this paper. The Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy model which can appropriate any nonlinear systems is employed, and based on the model, an observer-based fuzzy H∞ filter which has robustness against time-delay, external noise, and system uncertainties is designed. The sufficient condition for the existence of the desired filter is derived in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) solutions. Moreover, the underdetermined estimation problem in which the number of sensors available is typically less than the number of state variables to be estimated is specifically addressed. A systematic method is proposed to produce a model tuning parameter vector of appropriate dimension for the estimation of the filter, and the optimal transformation matrix is selected via iterative solution to minimize the estimated error. Finally, a simulation example for turbofan aeroengine is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, and the estimated error is less than 2.5%.
Isolation of Chemical Compounds and Essential Oil from Agrimonia asiatica Juz. and Their Antimicrobial and Antiplasmodial Activities
Authors: Kozykeyeva Raushan A. , Datkhayev Ubaidilla M. , Srivedavyasasri Radhakrishnan , Ajayi Temitayo O. , Patsayev Anapiya K. , Kozykeyeva Raikhan A. , Ross Samir A.
Published: March 2020

Agrimonia asiatica is a perennial plant with deep green color and covered with soft hairs and has a slightly aromatic odor. This genus Agrimonia has been used in traditional medicines of China, Greece, and European countries. It was mainly used as a haemostatic, a tonic for asthenia, and an astringent for diarrhea. Agrimony is part of the division Magnoliophyta; class is represented by order Rosales, family Rosaceae, of the genus Agrimonia. Family Rosaceae—or pink eels—is one of the largest families of flowering plants, including about 100 genera and 3000 species. Rosaceae is common in almost all areas of the globe where flowering plants can grow, but most of them are concentrated in the temperate and subtropical zones of the Northern Hemisphere. Phytochemical investigation on ethanolic extract of A. asiatica led to isolation of four flavonoid derivatives (kaempferol-3-glycoside, quercetin-3-O-α-arabinofuranosyl-β-D-galactopyranoside, 3-O-kaempherol 2,3-di-O-acetyl-4-O-(cis-p-coumaroyl)-6-O-(trans-p-coumaroyl)-β-D-glucosopyranoside, and catechin) alongside of sucrose. All the extracts, fractions, and isolated compounds were tested for antimicrobial and antiplasmodial activities. We also studied the chemical composition of essential oil obtained from the aerial part of A. asiatica. The essential oil constituents from the aerial part of A. asiatica were obtained using a steam-distillation method in wild growing conditions in Kazakhstan. The essential oil extracted from the aerial part of the plant was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy and its major components amounting to 100% were found to be β-selinene (36.370%), α-panasinsene (21.720%), hexadecanoic acid (7.839%), and 1,2-nonadiene (6.199%). Neither the extract nor the isolated compounds showed antimicrobial and antiplasmodial activities.
The Effect of Endoscopic Olfactory Cleft Opening on Obstructed Olfactory Cleft Disease
Authors: Jiang Rong-San , Liang Kai-Li
Published: March 2020

Purpose. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of endoscopic olfactory cleft (OC) opening on olfaction in patients with obstructed OC disease. Materials and Methods. Patients with obstructed OC disease who underwent endoscopic OC opening for treatment were enrolled. The endoscopic olfactory cleft opening was performed under local anesthesia. Under an endoscopy, the middle and superior turbinates were gently lateralized to open the OC using an elevator. The phenyl ethyl alcohol threshold test was performed to evaluate the olfactory function both before and after surgery. Results. An endoscopic OC opening was performed on 42 patients. Amongst them, the etiology of OC obstruction revealed anatomic anomalies in 14 patients, inflammatory process in 14, and anatomic anomalies as well as inflammatory process in 14. The phenyl ethyl alcohol threshold levels improved in 32 (76.2%) of the patients after surgery. The olfactory function was better improved in patients experiencing OC obstructed by inflammatory process than those by anatomic anomalies. Conclusions. This study showed that endoscopic OC opening seemed to be effective in treating olfactory dysfunction in patients with obstructed OC disease caused by inflammatory process.
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo and Occult Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Complicated after Head Trauma
Authors: Li Qinghua , Hou Shuangxing , Yang Hualan
Published: March 2020

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most prevalent form of peripheral vertigo and is common in posttraumatic patients. Sometimes, posttraumatic BPPV and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) exist together. How to effectively recognize SAH especially concealed bleeding before maneuver treatment for BPPV is worth paying attention by every clinician. Presently described is a case that when there are some clinical symptoms cannot be completely explained by simple BPPV, the combination of CT and FLAIR MRI sequences are needed in the early-stage detection of acute SAH.
Theoretical Analysis and Experimental Research into the Mechanical Properties of Al‐Ti‐Al Symmetrical Laminated Plate
Authors: Yang Xia , Ma Yingchao , He Dongsheng , Du Xiaozhong , Wang Rongjun
Published: March 2020

In order to have both the surface corrosion resistance of aluminum alloy and the high specific strength characteristics of titanium alloy, titanium alloy TC4, and aluminum alloy 6061 can be used to make aluminum‐titanium‐aluminum (Al‐Ti‐Al) three‐layer laminated plate by hot rolling. In this paper, the classical laminated plate theory was used to calculate the stiffness, specific stiffness, strength, and specific strength of the laminated plate. The results showed that when the coating rate of titanium alloy TC4 was 0.5, bending specific stiffness and bending specific strength were the minimum, but all other parameters increased with the increase of the coating rate of titanium alloy TC4. Therefore, in actual production, the coating rate of titanium alloy should be avoided being 0.5. Then, the rolling experiments of the Al‐Ti‐Al laminated plate were carried out with different temperatures, reduction rates, and thickness ratios. Finally, the tensile test and energy spectrum analysis of the laminated plate were carried out. The results showed that, with the increase of rolling temperature, the tensile strength, the extensibility, and the thickness of the diffusion layer increased; if the coating rate of titanium alloy TC4 was between 0.2 and 0.33, the mechanical properties, the bonding strength, and the thickness of the diffusion layer increased with the increase of the coating rate of titanium alloy TC4.
Trace Metal Detection in Aqueous Reservoirs Using Stilbene Intercalated Layered Rare-Earth Hydroxide Tablets
Authors: Omwoma Solomon
Published: March 2020

Contamination of aquatic reservoirs with metal ions is a slow gradual process that is not easy to detect. Consequences of the metal ions, especially the ones with high atomic numbers (heavy metals) at high concentrations, are severe and irreversible in aquatic reservoirs. As such, early detection mechanisms, especially at trace concentration, are essential for mitigation measures. In this work, a new, robust, and effective tool for trace metal detection and monitoring in aqueous solutions has been developed. Tablets (1 mm thick and similar to medicinal tablets) were manufactured from a powder comprising stilbene intercalated into gallery spaces of lanthanide-containing layered double hydroxides. The tablets were placed in a water column having different concentrations of Pb2+ and Cu2+ ions, and the water was allowed to flow for 45 minutes at a flow rate of 100 ml/s. Thereafter, the tablets were dried and made to powder, and their phosphorescence was measured. The gradual stilbene phosphorescence turnoff in the tablets from various concentrations of metal ions was correlated with sorption amounts. The tablets were able to detect effectively metal ions (up to Pb2+ 1.0 mmol/L and Cu2+ 5.0 mmol/L) in the aqueous media. As such, the concentrations of Pb2+ and Cu2+ ions at trace levels were determined in the test solutions. This method provides a real-time metal ion analysis and does not involve sampling of water samples for analysis in the laboratory.
Targeting Mutant PPM1D Sensitizes Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma Cells to the PARP Inhibitor Olaparib
Authors: Wang Zhaohui , Xu Cheng , Diplas Bill H. , Moure Casey J. , Chen Chin-Pu Jason , Chen Lee H. , Du Changzheng , Zhu Huishan , Greer Paula K. , Zhang Liwei , He Yiping , Waitkus Matthew S. , Yan Hai
Published: March 2020

Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is an invariably fatal brain tumor occurring predominantly in children. Up to 90% of pediatric DIPGs harbor a somatic heterozygous mutation resulting in the replacement of lysine 27 with methionine (K27M) in genes encoding histone H3.3 (H3F3A, 65%) or H3.1 (HIST1H3B, 25%). Several studies have also identified recurrent truncating mutations in the gene encoding protein phosphatase 1D, PPM1D, in 9%–23% of DIPGs. Here, we sought to investigate the therapeutic potential of targeting PPM1D, alone or in combination with inhibitors targeting specific components of DNA damage response pathways in patient-derived DIPG cell lines. We found that GSK2830371, an allosteric PPM1D inhibitor, suppressed the proliferation of PPM1D-mutant, but not PPM1D wild-type DIPG cells. We further observed that PPM1D inhibition sensitized PPM1D-mutant DIPG cells to PARP inhibitor (PARPi) treatment. Mechanistically, combined PPM1D and PARP inhibition show synergistic effects on suppressing a p53-dependent RAD51 expression and the formation of RAD51 nuclear foci, possibly leading to impaired homologous recombination (HR)-mediated DNA repair in PPM1D-mutant DIPG cells. Collectively, our findings reveal the potential role of the PPM1D–p53 signaling axis in the regulation of HR-mediated DNA repair and provide preclinical evidence demonstrating that combined inhibition of PPM1D and PARP1/2 may be a promising therapeutic combination for targeting PPM1D-mutant DIPG tumors.

Implications:

The findings support the use of PARPi in combination with PPM1D inhibition against PPM1D-mutant DIPGs.
Aquaporin-9, Mediated by IGF2, Suppresses Liver Cancer Stem Cell Properties via Augmenting ROS/β-Catenin/FOXO3a Signaling
Authors: Zheng Xi , Li Chuanfei , Yu Keqi , Shi Shasha , Chen Hongyu , Qian Yanzhi , Mei Zhechuan
Published: March 2020

Liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs) play a critical role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by virtue of their aggressive behavior and association with poor prognoses. Aquaporin-9 (AQP9) is a transmembrane protein that transports water and reportedly transports H2O2. Recent studies have shown that AQP9 expression has a negative effect on HCC cell invasion by inhibiting the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. However, the role of AQP9 in LCSCs remains obscure. We performed spheroid formation assay and flow cytometric analysis to investigate LCSCs stemness. CD133+ and CD133− cells were isolated by flow cytometry. Real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR), Western blot analysis, and immunofluorescence assay were used to estimate gene expression. The protein association of β-catenin with TCF4 and the interaction of β-catenin with FOXO3a were detected by immunoprecipitation (IP). Here, we found that AQP9 was preferentially decreased in LCSCs. Upregulated AQP9 significantly suppressed LCSCs stemness. In contrast, the inhibition of AQP9 had the opposite effect. Mechanistically, AQP9 was shown to be downregulated by insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2), which was widely reported to contribute to maintaining CSCs stemness. Furthermore, AQP9 overexpression was found to result in reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, which inhibited β-catenin activity by attenuating the interaction of β-catenin with TCF4 while concurrently enhancing the association of β-catenin with FOXO3a, ultimately inhibiting LCSCs stemness. Our study implies that stimulation of the AQP9 signaling axis may be a novel preventive and/or therapeutic approach for eliminating LCSCs.

Implications:

Our findings demonstrate that AQP9 signaling axis may be a novel preventive and/or therapeutic approach for eliminating LCSCs.
Human NKp44+ Group 3 Innate Lymphoid Cells Associate with Tumor-Associated Tertiary Lymphoid Structures in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Ikeda Atsuyo , Ogino Takayuki , Kayama Hisako , Okuzaki Daisuke , Nishimura Junichi , Fujino Shiki , Miyoshi Norikatsu , Takahashi Hidekazu , Uemura Mamoru , Matsuda Chu , Yamamoto Hirofumi , Takeda Kiyoshi , Mizushima Tsunekazu , Mori Masaki , Doki Yuichiro
Published: March 2020

Innate lymphoid cells (ILC) are responsible for mucosal tissue homeostasis and are involved in the progression and suppression of several types of cancer. However, the effects of ILCs on colorectal cancer are poorly understood. We characterized human ILCs in normal colon and colorectal cancer tissue, investigating their role in the tumor immune microenvironment. Normal mucosa and tumor tissues were obtained from patients with colorectal cancer, and the cells were isolated by enzymatic digestion. NKp44+ ILC3s with high expression of tertiary lymphoid structure (TLS) formation–related genes, including LTA, LTB, and TNF, accumulated in the normal colonic mucosa and T1/T2 tumors. However, the number of NKp44+ ILC3s was significantly reduced in T3/T4 tumors compared with normal colonic mucosa and T1/T2 tumors. NKp44+ ILC3s present in T3/T4 tumors had decreased expression of TLS formation–related genes, whereas stromal cells had decreased expression of CXCL13, CCL19, and CCL21. The decreasing number of NKp44+ ILC3s during tumor progression correlated with the TLS density in tumors. Thus, our results indicate that NKp44+ ILC3s infiltrate colorectal cancer tissue, but the number of cells decreases in T3/T4 tumors with associated decreases in TLS induction.
Gene Expression Profiling of Mediastinal Gray Zone Lymphoma and Its Relationship to Primary Mediastinal B-cell Lymphoma and Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
Authors: Pittaluga Stefania , Nicolae Alina , Wright George W. , Melani Christopher , Roschewski Mark , Steinberg Seth , Huang DaWei , Staudt Louis M. , Jaffe Elaine S. , Wilson Wyndham H.
Published: March 2020

Mediastinal gray zone lymphoma (MGZL) has immunopathologic features between classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) and primary mediastinal thymic B-cell lymphoma (PMBL), leading to uncertainty regarding its biological relationship to these entities. We performed gene expression profiling from patients with MGZL (20), cHL (18), and PMBL (17) and show MGZL clusters between cHL and PMBL. Expression signatures reveal germinal B-cell and IFN regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) signatures were relatively low in MGZL and cHL compared with PMBL, indicating downregulation of the B-cell program in MGZL, a hallmark of cHL. T-cell and macrophage signatures were higher in MGZL and cHL compared with PMBL, consistent with infiltrating immune cells, which are found in cHL. The NFκB signature was higher in MGZL than PMBL, and like cHL, MGZL and PMBL express NFκB inducing kinase (NIK), indicating noncanonical signaling. These findings indicate that while MGZL has distinctive clustering, it is biologically closer to cHL.

Significance:

We performed comparative gene expression analysis of MGZL, cHL, and PMBL and show most MGZL cases are biologically closer to cHL. MGZL has significantly higher tumor cell density than cHL and greater NFκB activation compared with PMBL, which may explain its greater treatment resistance compared with cHL and PMBL.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 127
Influence of the Geometry of the Left Main Coronary Artery Bifurcation on the Distribution of Sudanophilia in the Daughter Vessels
Authors: Ding Zhaohua , Biggs Tony , Seed W. Anthony , Friedman Morton H.
Published: March 2020

Uptake of circulating albumin by the aortic wall is greater downstream than upstream of branches in immature rabbits, but the opposite pattern occurs in mature animals. We investigated the role of NO in determining these variations. Descending thoracic aortas of rabbits were cannulated using techniques that avoid depressurization, overstretching, and excessive fluid dynamic stresses at the endothelial surface. They were perfused in situ at a constant pressure and flow rate with oxygenated, protein-containing physiological buffer, with or without

N
w

-monomethyl-L-arginine, an inhibitor of NO synthesis. Aortas were fixed 7 to 8 minutes after the addition of rhodamine-labeled albumin to this perfusate, and uptake of the tracer near intercostal ostia was measured by digital imaging fluorescence microscopy of sections through the wall. Despite the absence of pulsatile flow, blood cells, and many plasma components, patterns of transport in control experiments were the same as those occurring in vivo; uptake was greatest downstream of ostia in immature vessels and upstream in mature ones, although mean uptake was higher than previously reported. In the presence of the inhibitor, mean uptake in immature arteries was elevated threefold and the maximum tracer concentration occurred deeper in the wall, but there was no change in the fractional difference between regions. Conversely, the reverse of the control pattern of transport was observed in mature arteries exposed to the inhibitor, but there was no change in mean uptake. The reversal was almost entirely prevented by adding excess L-arginine to the perfusate and was largely stereospecific. Endogenous NO thus appears to determine the mature pattern of transport near branches and helps to maintain the barrier function of the immature wall.

(
Arterioscler Thromb Vase Biol.
1997;17:1361-1368.)
Cumulative Blood Pressure Exposure, Basal Ganglia, and Thalamic Morphology in Midlife
Authors: Jenkins Lisanne M. , Garner Chaney R. , Kurian Shawn , Higgins James P. , Parrish Todd B. , Sedaghat Sanaz , Nemeth Alexander J. , Lloyd-Jones Donald M. , Launer Lenore J. , Hausdorff Jeffrey M. , Wang Lei , Sorond Farzaneh A.
Published: March 2020

High blood pressure (BP) negatively affects brain structure and function. Hypertension is associated with white matter hyperintensities, cognitive and mobility impairment in late-life. However, the impact of BP exposure from young adulthood on brain structure and function in mid-life is unclear. Identifying early brain structural changes associated with BP exposure, before clinical onset of cognitive dysfunction and mobility impairment, is essential for understanding mechanisms and developing interventions. We examined the effect of cumulative BP exposure from young adulthood on brain structure in a substudy of 144 (61 female) individuals from the CARDIA (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults) study. At year 30 (Y
30
, ninth visit), participants (56±4 years old) completed brain magnetic resonance imaging and gait measures (pace, rhythm, and postural control). Cumulative systolic and diastolic BP (cumulative systolic blood pressure, cDBP) over 9 visits were calculated, multiplying mean values between 2 consecutive visits by years between visits. Surface-based analysis of basal ganglia and thalamus was achieved using FreeSurfer-initiated Large Deformation Diffeomorphic Metric Mapping. Morphometric changes were regressed onto cumulative BP to localize regions of shape variation. Y
30
white matter hyperintensity volumes were small and positively correlated with cumulative BP but not gait. Negative morphometric associations with cumulative systolic blood pressure were seen in the caudate, putamen, nucleus accumbens, pallidum, and thalamus. A concave right medial putamen shape mediated the relationship between cumulative systolic blood pressure and stride width. Basal ganglia and thalamic morphometric changes, rather than volumes, may be earlier manifestation of gray matter structural signatures of BP exposure that impact midlife gait.
Blood Pressure Drop Rate After Standing Up Is Associated With Frailty and Number of Falls in Geriatric Outpatients
Authors: Mol Arjen , Slangen Lois Robin Nicolle , Trappenburg Marijke C. , Reijnierse Esmee M. , van Wezel Richard J. A. , Meskers Carel G. M. , Maier Andrea B.
Published: March 2020

Background

The relationship between orthostatic hypotension and clinical outcome in older adults is poorly understood. Blood pressure drop rate (ie, speed of blood pressure drop) may particularly reflect the imposed challenge to the baroreflex and the associated clinical outcome (ie, frailty and number of falls). This study aimed to compare orthostatic blood pressure drop rate and drop magnitude with regard to their association with frailty and number of falls.

Methods and Results

Blood pressure was measured continuously during a standardized active stand task in 168 patients (mean age 81.4±7.0; 55.4% female) who visited a geriatric outpatient clinic for cognitive or mobility problems. The association of orthostatic blood pressure drop rate, blood pressure drop magnitude, and baroreflex sensitivity (ie, increase in heart rate divided by systolic blood pressure drop magnitude) with frailty (Fried criteria and 4 frailty markers) and self‐reported number of falls was assessed using linear regression models, adjusting for age and sex. Systolic blood pressure drop rate had the strongest association with frailty according to the 4 frailty markers (β 0.30; 95%
CI
, 0.11–0.49;
P
=0.003) and number of falls (β 1.09; 95%
CI
, 0.19–1.20;
P
=0.018); diastolic blood pressure drop magnitude was most strongly associated with frailty according to the Fried criteria (β 0.37; 95%
CI
, 0.15–0.60;
P
<0.001). Baroreflex sensitivity was associated with neither frailty nor number of falls.

Conclusions

Orthostatic blood pressure drop rate was associated with frailty and falls and may reflect the challenge to the baroreflex rather than drop magnitude.
Decoupling Between Diastolic Pulmonary Artery and Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressures Is Associated With Right Ventricular Dysfunction and Hemocompatibility‐Related Adverse Events in Patients With Left Ventricular Assist Devices
Authors: Imamura Teruhiko , Narang Nikhil , Kim Gene , Raikhelkar Jayant , Chung Ben , Nguyen Ann , Holzhauser Luise , Rodgers Daniel , Kalantari Sara , Smith Bryan , Ota Takeyoshi , Song Tae , Juricek Colleen , Burkhoff Daniel , Jeevanandam Valluvan , Sayer Gabriel , Uriel Nir
Published: March 2020

Background

Decoupling between diastolic pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure is an index of pulmonary vascular damage. This study assessed the impact of decoupling on right heart function and hemocompatibility‐related adverse events.

Methods and Results

In this prospective study, patients underwent invasive hemodynamic tests following left ventricular assist device implantation. Decoupling was defined as a difference of >5 mm Hg between diastolic pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure. Among 92 patients with left ventricular assist devices (median age, 61 years; 57% male), 44 patients (48%) had decoupling. Right heart function and size by echocardiographic assessment worsened during a 1‐year observational period in the decoupling group as compared with the control group (
P
<0.05). The decoupling group had significantly lower 1‐year freedom from any hemocompatibility‐related adverse events (49% versus 79%;
P
=0.005), as well as a higher hemocompatibility score (2.14 versus 0.67;
P
=0.004). The scoring system depicts the severity of hemocompatibility‐related adverse events using 4 escalating tiers. Increased tier I scores (1–2 gastrointestinal bleedings or medically managed pump thrombosis;
P
=0.027) and tier IIIB scores (disabling stroke or hemocompatibility‐related adverse event–related death;
P
=0.041) occurred more frequently in the decoupling group.

Conclusions

The presence of decoupling between diastolic pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure was associated with worsening of right heart function and hemocompatibility‐related adverse events in patients with left ventricular assist devices.
A taxonomic revision of Zasmidium species occurring in Poland

Authors: ŚWIDERSKA-BUREK URSZULA
Published: March 2020

Two Zasmidium plant pathogens (Z. lythri and Z. subsanguineum) from different localities in Poland have been revised taxonomically based on herbarium specimens and on fresh collections. They are described and illustrated, and their distribution from the literature data in Poland and worldwide is compiled.
Taxonomy of a katydid genus Mecopoda Serville (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae, Mecopodinae) from East Asia
Authors: LIU CHUN-XIANG , HELLER KLAUS-GERHARD , WANG XUE-SONG , YANG ZHEN , WU CHAO , LIU FEI , ZHANG TAO
Published: March 2020

The genus Mecopoda Serville includes eight species, which are mostly distributed in the Oriental region and a few areas in the Palearctic and Australian region. Five species have been recorded in China. Here based on the acoustical and morphological data, we provide a review on the genus Mecopoda in China. We divide the genus Mecopoda into three species groups according to their acoustical characteristics. Six new species and one new subspecies are discovered to be new to science, that it is, M. crescendo sp. nov., M. himalaya sp. nov., M. tibetensis sp. nov., M. confracta sp. nov., M. synconfracta sp. nov., M. minor sp. nov., and M. m. yunnana subsp. nov.. The male of M. marmorata He is also firstly reported with necessary description. Now the number of the genus Mecopoda is 11 in China and 14 in the world. Necessary description and pictures map are presented.
Revision of existing classification of fossil insect feeding traces and description of new ichnotaxa from Middle Jurassic sediments of Eastern Siberia (Russia)
Authors: ENUSHCHENKO ILYA V. , FROLOV АNDREY O.
Published: March 2020

This paper revises the existing system of formal classification by Vialov and Vasilenko for fossil plants involving insect feeding and oviposition. The classification of these fossil traces has been amended and supplemented in accordance with the requirements of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. The following nomenclatural combinations are made: Insectophagichnata (Vialov) Enushchenko and Frolov, comb. et stat. (classis) nov., Phagolignichnidina (Vialov) Enushchenko and Frolov, comb. et stat. (subordo) nov., Phagophytichnidina (Vialov) Enushchenko and Frolov, comb. et stat. (subordo) nov. Fossil traces of these interactions were found and illustrated for Mesozoic insects and leafes of Ginkgo tapkensis from Middle Jurassic sediments of the Irkutsk Coal Basin in Eastern Siberia, Russia. The examined traces consist of ovipositions (traces of insect egg laying), galls (traces of insect caused teratologies) and epidermal punctures (traces of piercing and sucking). The following ichnotaxa are described and illustrated: Paleoovidinae Enushchenko and А. Frolov, ichnosubfam. nov., Paleoexoovoidinae Enushchenko and Frolov, ichnosubfam. nov., Sugophytichninae Enushchenko and А. Frolov, ichnosubfam. nov., Sugophytichnida pertusura Enushchenko and Frolov, ichnogen. et ichnospec. nov., Paleoovidus vasilenkoi Enushchenko and А. Frolov, ichnospec. nov., Paleoexoovoida ovoidea Enushchenko and А. Frolov, ichnogen. et ichnosp. nov., Paleogallus vialovi Enushchenko and Frolov, ichnospec. nov. Punctures of the leaf epidermis probably belong Mesozoic cicadas of the Palaeontini, which dominate the adjacent strata of the studied location. The extremely low occurrence of interaction between insects and plants in these Jurassic deposits of Eastern Siberia have ichnotaxonomic importance for understanding the functioning of Jurassic terrestrial paleoecosystems.
Spectral Modeling of Ice-Induced Wave Decay
Authors: Liu Qingxiang , Rogers W. Erick , Babanin Alexander , Li Jingkai , Guan Changlong
Published: March 2020

Three dissipative (two viscoelastic and one viscous) ice models are implemented in the spectral wave model WAVEWATCH III to estimate the ice-induced wave attenuation rate. These models are then explored and intercompared through hindcasts of two field cases: one in the autumn Beaufort Sea in 2015 and the other in the Antarctic marginal ice zone (MIZ) in 2012. The capability of these dissipative models, along with their limitations and applicability to operational forecasts, are analyzed and discussed. The sensitivity of the simulated wave height to different source terms—the ice-induced wave decay Sice and other physical processes Sother (e.g., wind input, nonlinear four-wave interactions)—is also investigated. For the Antarctic MIZ experiment, Sother is found to be remarkably less than Sice and thus contributes little to the simulated significant wave height Hs. The saturation of dHs/dx at large wave heights in this case, as reported by a previous study, is well reproduced by the three dissipative ice models with or without the utilization of Sother in the ice-infested seas. A clear downward trend in the peak frequency fp is found as Hs increases. As fp decreases, the dominant wave components of a wave spectrum will experience reduced damping by sea ice, and finally result in the flattening of dHs/dx for Hs > 3 m in this specific case. Nonetheless, Sother should not be disregarded within a more general modeling perspective, as our simulations suggest Sother could be comparable to Sice in the Beaufort Sea case where wave and ice conditions are remarkably different.
Focusing on the Practice of Distributed Leadership: The International Evidence From the 2013 TALIS
Authors: Liu Yan
Published: March 2020

Purpose: This study is primarily interested in the operational evidence of distributed leadership using large-scale and multicountry data. Specifically, this study investigates (a) how three position-based human units—the principal, the management team, and teachers—could lead nine school leadership functions together and (b) how the country and school contextual factors are related to the leadership distribution mechanism, which examines the associations among variables across national boundaries including 32 countries. Research Design: This study conducted a secondary data analysis using the 2013 Teaching and Learning International Survey. The researcher first constructed the latent variables to quantify the extent to which the three groups led the nine leadership functions. Then a resampling approach with balanced repeated replication weights was used to disclose the extent to which each group led each of the 17 leadership tasks. Finally, a structural equation model helped reveal the existing associations among contextual factors and distributed leadership operation. Findings: First, distributed leadership was reported by principals to exist in 25 countries, and there were seven distributed leadership patterns discovered among 32 countries included in the sample, though two patterns were revealed to have little leadership distribution. Second, this study found that the principal, the management team, and teachers led varied leadership functions. Finally, both country and school contextual factors were associated with how leadership was distributed. Conclusions: This study, using large-scale and international data, has added new evidence with a particular interest in the effects of contextual influence on distributed leadership practices.
Avanti!, il quotidiano socialista che alfabetizza e forma
Authors: Intini Ugo
Published: March 2020

Avanti! non è solamente il quotidiano che accompagna la storia del Partito Socialista Italiano, ma anche il primo agente di alfabetizzazione e acculturamento del mondo del lavoro e dei ceti meno favoriti. L’autore, che è stato direttore del giornale, sottolinea la forte presenza di letterati e uomini di cultura sulle colonne del quotidiano, con riferimenti specifici ad autori come De Amicis, Soldati, Bassani, Bevilacqua, Bianciardi, Cassola, Castellaneta; a pittori e disegnatori come Scalarini, Podrecca, Boccioni, Sironi; critici teatrali letterari e d’arte come Antonio Gramsci, Paolo Grassi, Carlo Fontana, Franco Fortini, Bonito Oliva, Argan, Barilli; protagonisti dello spettacolo come Gasmann, Lattuada, Rosi, Wertmüller; artisti come Cascella, Cantatore, Maccari, Pomodoro, fino a Carlo Rambaldi, collaboratore dalla provincia emiliana di Ferrara che, emigrato negli Stati Uniti, creò E.T. per Spielberg. Vera antologia della cultura italiana tra Ottocento e Novecento, il quotidiano soffrì l’attacco e la distruzione del fascismo, per riprendersi ancora con più vigore nel dopoguerra.
Effect of silica nanoparticles on the impregnation process, foaming dynamics and cell microstructure of styrene-methyl methacrylate copolymer/n-pentane foams
Authors: Salehi Mostafa , Rezaei Mostafa , Salami Hosseini Mahdi
Published: March 2020

In the present study, two-step foaming procedure with a designed in-situ foaming observation apparatus was used to study the foaming dynamics of styrene-methyl methacrylate (St-MMA) copolymer/nanosilica composites. For this purpose, the St-MMA copolymer was synthesized using suspension copolymerization and its nanocomposites were prepared using solution method. The foaming dynamics was studied through temperature-induced (two-step batch foaming) method. Furthermore, the effects of content, size and surface chemistry of silica nanoparticles on the impregnation process, the foaming dynamics and the final morphology of prepared foams were investigated. The impregnation data showed that the presence of silica nanoparticles in matrix prolonged the impregnation and decreased diffusion coefficient. This effect would be clearer where nanoparticle contents are high and the temperature is quite above Tg. The foaming dynamics results illustrated that the nucleation and foaming rate were enhanced with the nanoparticle addition and its size reduction. At the St-MMA copolymer foaming system, the silica nanoparticles with hydrophilic surface chemistry are more efficient in comparison to hydrophobic nanoparticles where all foaming dynamics and the final microstructure parameters were improved.
Vocabulary Size Influences Spontaneous Speech in Native Language Users: Validating the Use of Automatic Speech Recognition in Individual Differences Research
Authors: Jongman Suzanne R. , Khoe Yung Han , Hintz Florian
Published: March 2020

Previous research has shown that vocabulary size affects performance on laboratory word production tasks. Individuals who know many words show faster lexical access and retrieve more words belonging to pre-specified categories than individuals who know fewer words. The present study examined the relationship between receptive vocabulary size and speaking skills as assessed in a natural sentence production task. We asked whether measures derived from spontaneous responses to everyday questions correlate with the size of participants’ vocabulary. Moreover, we assessed the suitability of automatic speech recognition (ASR) for the analysis of participants’ responses in complex language production data. We found that vocabulary size predicted indices of spontaneous speech: individuals with a larger vocabulary produced more words and had a higher speech-silence ratio compared to individuals with a smaller vocabulary. Importantly, these relationships were reliably identified using manual and automated transcription methods. Taken together, our results suggest that spontaneous speech elicitation is a useful method to investigate natural language production and that automatic speech recognition can alleviate the burden of labor-intensive speech transcription.
Career Confidential: Teacher suspects an inappropriate relationship. Should CPS get involved?
Authors: Fagell Phyllis L.
Published: March 2020

Phyllis L. Fagell gives workplace advice to educators in this monthly column. This month, a teacher suspects a teacher may be having an inappropriate relationship with a student but isn’t sure whether to contact Child Protective Services. A teacher who grabbed a student’s wrist in a moment of conflict is worried about the consequences and tempted to lie about it. And an out-of-work teacher is hesitant about accepting a job at a school where the principal doesn’t have children.