bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distributed Detection of Cycles
Authors: Fraigniaud Pierre , Olivetti Dennis
Published: October 2019

Distributed property testing in networks has been introduced by Brakerski and Patt-Shamir [6], with the objective of detecting the presence of large dense sub-networks in a distributed manner. Recently, Censor-Hillel et al. [7] have revisited this notion and formalized it in a broader context. In particular, they have shown how to detect 3-cycles in a constant number of rounds by a distributed algorithm. In a follow-up work, Fraigniaud et al. [21] have shown how to detect 4-cycles in a constant number of rounds as well. However, the techniques in these latter works were shown not to generalize to larger cycles
C

k

with
k
≥ 5. In this article, we completely settle the problem of cycle detection by establishing the following result: For every
k
≥ 3, there exists a distributed property testing algorithm for
C

k

-freeness, performing in a constant number of rounds. All these results hold in the classical congest model for distributed network computing. Our algorithm is 1-sided error. Its round-complexity is
O
(1ϵ) where ϵ ∈ (0,1) is the property-testing parameter measuring the gap between legal and illegal instances.
Sex Hormones and Prostate Cancer
Authors: Auchus Richard J. , Sharifi Nima
Published: October 2019

The prostate is an androgen-dependent organ that develops only in male mammals. Prostate cancer is the most common nonskin malignancy in men and the second leading cause of cancer deaths. Metastatic prostate cancer initially retains its androgen dependence, and androgen-deprivation therapy often leads to disease control; however, the cancer inevitably progresses despite treatment as castration-resistant prostate cancer, the lethal form of the disease. Although it was assumed that the cancer became androgen independent during this transition, studies over the last two decades have shown that these tumors evade treatment via mechanisms that augment acquisition of androgens from circulating precursors, increase sensitivity to androgens and androgen precursors, bypass the androgen receptor, or a combination of these mechanisms. This review summarizes the history of prostate cancer research leading to the contemporary view of androgen dependence for prostate cancers and the current treatment approaches based on this modern paradigm.
Regional Stability Analysis of Red Clay Slope Based on Different Failure Modes: A Case Study in Taizaifu Area, Fukuoka
Authors: Wei Fang
Published: October 2019

Red clay slopes have different failure modes in different geological and climatic contexts. Underlying weak layers are frequently witnessed in integral failures because of the reverse consolidation characteristics. On the contrary, heavy rainfall often causes superficial sliding for a considerable infiltration through developed microfractures. Based on the Geographic Information System, regional stability of red clay slopes was evaluated with two failure modes, such as “integral sliding” and “planar sliding.” First, terrain and borehole data of the study area were used to construct the digital elevation model. Second, slope units were partitioned as research objects. For integral sliding, the slip surface was supposed to lie above the strata interface, and it was regarded as a lower part of an ellipsoid. After calculating safety factors of potential slip surfaces that were randomly generated by the Monte Carlo method, the minimum safety factor of the slope unit and the critical slip surface could be determined. For shallow landslides triggered by rainfall infiltration, the one‐dimensional infiltration model and infinite slope model were used. Moreover, the difference between the sliding direction of each column and the main aspect of entire slope unit was considered in safety factor calculation. Finally, regional slope stability characterized by the safety factor would be available; thus, it would be beneficial to sliding prevention and disaster treatment in this region.
Prediction of Plastic Shrinkage Cracking of Self‐Compacting Concrete
Authors: Ghoddousi Parviz , Abbasi Armin Monir , Shahrokhinasab Esmail , Abedin Mohammad
Published: October 2019

Concrete exposed to hot climatic conditions is prone to plastic shrinkage after casting within the first few hours due to the water evaporation and restraining conditions of concrete. This cracking is more commonly observed in concrete elements with a large surface area exposed to drying. In this research, plastic shrinkage of 13 self‐compacting concrete samples with different cement paste volumes and various coarse to total aggregate ratios was studied. Test specimens of fresh concrete were subjected to a wind tunnel, which simulated hot dry environmental condition immediately after casting. It can be observed from the test results that the relationship between free plastic shrinkage and the difference between bleeding and evaporation is direct and linear. Finally, a model for plastic shrinkage estimation was suggested by considering the effect of free plastic shrinkage strain, restraining factor, and tensile strain capacity of self‐compacting concrete.
Reconstruction of Medial Wall Blowout Fracture Defect with a Combination of Resorbable Meshed Plate and Cancellous Bone Allograft
Authors: Shin Jongweon , Park Song I , Hwang Yunsup , Kwon Ho , Shim Hyung-Sup
Published: October 2019

Background. Various materials are available for the reconstruction of bone defects in cases of medial wall blowout fracture. This study was conducted to assess the efficacy of the combination of a resorbable meshed plate and cancellous bone allograft. Methods. From March 2014 to March 2017, a total of 111 patients were evaluated. Sixty-three patients received reconstruction surgery with porous polyethylene plates (control group) and the other forty-eight patients underwent operation with a resorbable meshed plate plus allogenic cancellous bone (combined group). The results were assessed by exophthalmometric measurements, width, and volume discrepancies as compared with the unaffected orbit, and operation time. Results. The difference in exophthalmometric measurements between the affected and unaffected orbits were 0.94 ± 0.70 mm in the control group and 1.05 ± 0.73 mm in the combined group without statistical significance (p=0.425). In the analysis of computed tomography images, the width discrepancy was 1.55 ± 0.86 mm and 1.08 ± 0.69 mm, respectively (p=0.003); however, the volume discrepancy demonstrated no statistically significant difference (2.58 ± 1.40 cm3 versus 2.20 ± 1.80 cm3; p=0.209). Operation time was significantly shorter in the combined group as compared with the control group (43.0 ± 7.0 versus 38.3 ± 7.0 minutes; p=0.001). Conclusion. The combination material composed of resorbable meshed plate and cancellous bone allograft made reconstruction surgery of medial wall blowout fracture easier and quicker to perform with long-lasting results.
Lipid Metabolism Alterations in a Rat Model of Chronic and Intergenerational Exposure to Arsenic
Authors: Rivas-Santiago Cesar , González-Curiel Irma , Zarazua Sergio , Murgu Michael , Ruiz Cardona Alonso , Lazalde Blanca , Lara-Ramírez Edgar E. , Vázquez Edgar , Castañeda-Delgado Julio Enrique , Rivas-Santiago Bruno , Lopez Jesús Adrián , Cervantes-Villagrana Alberto R. , López-Hernández Yamilé
Published: October 2019

Chronic exposure to arsenic (As), whether directly through the consumption of contaminated drinking water or indirectly through the daily intake of As-contaminated food, is a health threat for more than 150 million people worldwide. Epidemiological studies found an association between chronic consumption of As and several pathologies, the most common being cancer-related disorders. However, As consumption has also been associated with metabolic disorders that could lead to diverse pathologies, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and obesity. Here, we used ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled to electrospray ionization/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ESI-QToF) to assess the effect of chronic intergenerational As exposure on the lipid metabolism profiles of serum from 4-month-old Wistar rats exposed to As prenatally and also during early life in drinking water (3 ppm). Significant differences in the levels of certain identified lysophospholipids, phosphatidylcholines, and triglycerides were found between the exposed rats and the control groups, as well as between the sexes. Significantly increased lipid oxidation determined by the malondialdehyde (MDA) method was found in exposed rats compared with controls. Chronic intergenerational As exposure alters the rat lipidome, increases lipid oxidation, and dysregulates metabolic pathways, the factors associated with the chronic inflammation present in different diseases associated with chronic exposure to As (i.e., keratosis, Bowen’s disease, and kidney, liver, bladder, and lung cancer).
Keap1 Cystenine 151 as a Potential Target for Artemisitene-Induced Nrf2 Activation
Authors: Liu Shanshan , Xu Shengmei , Wei Renrong , Cui Zhizhong , Wu Xiaoyun , Wei Renxiong , Xie Li , Zhou Yingye , Li Wenjuan , Chen Weimin
Published: October 2019

Artemisitene (ATT) activates the nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) by increasing its stabilization and reducing ubiquitination. The cysteine (Cys) residues of the cytosolic Nrf2 repressor Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1 (Keap1) function as redox sensors and may be crucial in activating Nrf2. To determine whether ATT-induced Nrf2 activation is dependent on the modification of Keap1 and to elucidate the underlying mechanism, we transfected cell lines with six different Keap1 mutant constructs, each with a Cys (−77, −151, −257, −273, −288, and −297) to Ser substitution. Only the Cys151Ser mutant prevented ATT-mediated activation of Nrf2, indicating that the Cys151 residue of Keap1 likely interacts with ATT and is essential for Nrf2 stabilization and transcription of downstream genes. Our finding provides a pharmacological basis for using artemisitene against oxidative stress-related diseases.
Behavioral and Neural Changes Induced by a Blended Essential Oil on Human Selective Attention
Authors: Liu Jieqiong , Cai Shi , Chen Danni , Wu Ke , Liu Yang , Zhang Ruqian , Chen Mei , Li Xianchun
Published: October 2019

Selective attention refers to the selecting and preferential processing of specific information while simultaneously suppressing irrelevant distractors, activities linked to various cognitive skills and academic achievements. The influence of essential oils on the cognition of humans has been extensively explored. However, the effects of essential oils on human selective attention and the underlying neural mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, participants were divided into a “blended essential oil” group and a “no essential oil” group and enrolled on a negative priming task, including a control condition and a negative priming condition. The event-related potential technique was used to examine the brain mechanisms underlying the blended essential oil effects on human selective attention. Behavioral results showed that individuals responded more quickly in the negative priming condition when exposed to the blended essential oil. In addition, the blended essential oil eliminated the differences in the P300 amplitude in the postcentral area of the brain between the negative priming condition and the control condition. Moreover, the blended essential oil led to stronger functional connectivity during the task. The present study thus suggests that blended essential oil can significantly change brain activity and functional connections in human beings, which may improve human selective attention.
Association between Smoking and Liver Fibrosis among Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Ou Hongjie , Fu Yaojie , Liao Wei , Zheng Caixia , Wu Xiaolu
Published: October 2019

Objective. We aimed at analyzing the role of smoking in hepatic fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and at exploring the related risk factors. Methods. This was a cross-sectional study that included a total of 225 patients with NAFLD. Among them, 127 were nonsmokers and 98 were smokers. Liver significant fibrosis was diagnosed when the liver stiffness (LS) value was higher than 7.4 kPa. The diagnostic criterion for NAFLD was a controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) value of >238 dB/m. The CAP and LS values were measured using FibroScan. Results. FibroScan showed that the LS value in the smokers was significantly higher than that in the nonsmokers (10.12 ± 10.38 kPa vs. 7.26 ± 6.42 kPa, P=0.013). The proportions of patients with liver significant fibrosis and advanced liver fibrosis among the smokers were significantly higher than those among the nonsmokers (P=0.046). Univariate analysis showed that age, weight, high AST level, low PLT level, and smoking were the risk factors associated with liver fibrosis in the smokers with NAFLD while multivariate analysis showed that age (OR = 1.029, P=0.021), high AST level (OR = 1.0121, P=0.025), and smoking (OR = 1.294, P=0.015) were the independent risk factors associated with liver fibrosis in the patients with NAFLD. Moreover, high AST level (OR = 1.040, P=0.029), smoking index (OR = 1.220, P=0.019), and diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.054, P=0.032) were the independent risk factors for liver fibrosis among the smokers with NAFLD. Conclusion. This study showed that smoking was closely associated with liver fibrosis among the patients with NAFLD. For patients with NAFLD who smoke, priority screening and timely intervention should be provided if they are at risk of liver fibrosis.
An Optimum Design Method of Pneu‐Net Actuators for Trajectory Matching Utilizing a Bending Model and GA
Authors: Sun Yilin , Zhang Qiuju , Chen Xiaoyan , Chen Haiwei
Published: October 2019

This study addresses the problem in designing pneu‐net actuators to achieve specific target trajectories for particular applications. The finite element analysis (FEA) method is used to study the sensitivity of 9 design parameters to bending deformation of actuators, and the results of FEA demonstrate that the width of the chamber and the width of the middle layer have great influence on the bending performance. Besides, the relations between the bending angles of actuators with different width parameters and the pressure are always highly linear. Using FEA and the cubic polynomial fitting algorithm, a unified bending model of the pneu‐net actuator is established with three crucial design parameters (i.e., segment length, chamber width, and middle‐layer width). An optimum design method based on the bending model and genetic algorithm (GA) is put forward to automatically adjust these three crucial parameters to realise trajectory matching. The method is developed to be an effective solution for the problem in matching the target trajectory with the experimental results achieved on an actuator designed by imitating a human index finger. Furthermore, the results of the experiment also verify that the actuator can achieve stable grasping, and the proposed method has an important directive to design pneu‐net actuators for their application in the fields of robotics, rescue, and detection.
Safety Prediction Using Vehicle Safety Evaluation Model Passing on Long‐Span Bridge with Fully Connected Neural Network
Authors: Yang Yang , Yang Lin , Wu Bo , Yao Gang , Li Hang , Robert Soltys
Published: October 2019

The safety condition of vehicles passing on long‐span bridges has attracted more and more attention in recent years. Many research studies have been done to find convenience and efficiency measures. A vehicle safety evaluation model passing on a long‐span bridge is presented in this paper based on fully connected neural network (FCN). The first step is to investigate the long‐span bridge responses with wind excitation by using the wind tunnel test and finite element model. Subsequently, typical vehicle models are given and a vehicle‐bridge system is established by considering weather conditions. Accident types of vehicles with severe weather are estimated. In particular, the input and output variables of the vehicle safety evaluation model are determined, and simultaneously training, validation, and testing data are achieved. Twenty‐nine models have been compared and analyzed by using hidden layer, initial learning rate, batch size, activation function, and optimization method. It is found that the 4‐15‐15‐4 model occupies a preferable prediction performance, and it can provide a kind of utility for traffic control and reduce the probability of vehicle accidents on the bridge.
Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells Attenuate Ocular Hypertension-Induced Retinal Neuroinflammation via Toll-Like Receptor 4 Pathway
Authors: Ji Shangli , Xiao Jie , Liu Jian , Tang Shibo
Published: October 2019

Glaucoma is characterized by progressive, irreversible damage to the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and their axons. Our previous study has shown that the intravitreal transplantation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) reveals a neuroprotective role in microsphere injection-induced ocular hypertension (OHT) rat models. The protection is related to the modulation of glial cells, but the mechanisms are still unknown. The purpose of the present study is to clarify the potential neuroinflammatory mechanisms involved in the neuroprotective role of hUC-MSCs. OHT models were established with SD rats through intracameral injection of polystyrene microbeads. The animals were randomly divided into three groups: the normal group, the OHT+phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) group, and the OHT+hUC-MSC group. Retinal morphology was evaluated by measuring the inner retinal thickness via optical coherence tomography (OCT). Retinal cell apoptosis was examined by TUNEL staining and Bax expression 14 days following hUC-MSC transplantation. The expression levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), ionized calcium binding adapter molecule 1 (iba-1), and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) were assessed via immunohistochemistry, real-time quantitative PCR, and Western blot. RNA and proteins were extracted 14 days following transplantation, and the expression levels of the TLR4 signaling pathways and proinflammatory cytokines—myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α—were determined. OCT showed that the intravitreal transplantation of hUC-MSCs significantly increased the inner thickness of the retina. A TUNEL assay and the expression of Bax suggested that the apoptosis of retinal cells was decreased by hUC-MSCs 14 days following transplantation. Intravitreal hUC-MSC transplantation resulted in a decreased expression of GFAP, iba-1, TLR4, MyD88, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α 14 days following transplantation. In addition, via in vitro experiments, we found that the increased expression of the TLR4 signaling pathway induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was markedly decreased after hUC-MSCs were cocultured with rMC-1 and BV2 cells. These findings indicate that hUC-MSC transplantation attenuates OHT-induced retinal neuroinflammation via the TLR4 pathway.
Silencing Fc Domains in T cell–Engaging Bispecific Antibodies Improves T-cell Trafficking and Antitumor Potency
Authors: Wang Linlin , Hoseini Sayed Shahabuddin , Xu Hong , Ponomarev Vladimir , Cheung Nai-Kong
Published: October 2019

Bispecific antibodies (BsAb) that engage T cells bind to tumor cells via a tumor-associated antigen and to T cells through surface CD3. BsAbs have promising antitumor properties in vivo. Here, we describe the effects of Fc silencing on BsAb-driven T-cell trafficking to solid tumors. We used BsAbs specific for disialoganglioside GD2 or oncoprotein ErbB2 (HER2) and built on the IgG(L)-scFv platform with or without Fc silencing. We studied the kinetics of T-cell infiltration from blood into solid tumor masses when driven by these BsAbs. We also investigated the therapeutic efficacy of these BsAbs in two mouse models: immunodeficient mice xenografted with patient-derived GD2+ neuroblastoma or HER2+ breast cancer, and human CD3ϵ transgenic mice implanted with a GD2+ murine tumor. BsAbs built with intact Fc domain were unable to drive T cells to tumor, thereby failing to achieve an antitumor effect in mice. T cells became sequestered in lungs by myeloid cells or depleted in circulation. In contrast, when Fc function was silenced by N297A ± K322A mutations, T cells were able to infiltrate into subcutaneous solid tumors, a prerequisite for successful therapy outcome.
Mammary Tumor Cells with High Metastatic Potential Are Hypersensitive to Macrophage-Derived HGF
Authors: Kitamura Takanori , Kato Yu , Brownlie Demi , Soong Daniel Y.H. , Sugano Gaël , Kippen Nicolle , Li Jiufeng , Doughty-Shenton Dahlia , Carragher Neil , Pollard Jeffrey W.
Published: October 2019

Metastasis-associated macrophages (MAM) promote persistent growth of breast cancer cells at the metastatic site and are, thus, an attractive therapeutic target to treat breast cancer metastasis, a leading cause of cancer-related death in women. However, the precise mechanisms behind MAM-mediated metastatic tumor outgrowth have not been fully elucidated. Using mouse models of metastatic breast cancer, we showed that MAMs uniquely expressed hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in metastatic tumors. We also demonstrated that a selected population of cancer cells with high metastatic potential (cancer cells that can establish metastatic tumors in mice with higher number and incidence than parental cells) had higher expression of HGF receptor, MNNG HOS transforming gene (MET), and were more responsive to HGF released from macrophages compared with the parental cells. Blockade of MET signaling in cancer cells suppressed metastatic tumor expansion, in part, through activation of natural killer cells. Results from this study suggest an approach to prevent life-threatening metastatic tumor formation using blockade of MAM-induced MET signal activation in metastatic cancer cells.
Tumor Immune Microenvironment and Chemosensitivity Signature for Predicting Response to Chemotherapy in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Jiang Yuming , Xie Jingjing , Huang Weicai , Chen Hao , Xi Sujuan , Han Zhen , Huang Lei , Lin Tian , Zhao Li-Ying , Hu Yan-Feng , Yu Jiang , Cai Shi-Rong , Li Tuanjie , Li Guoxin
Published: October 2019

Current gastric cancer staging alone cannot predict prognosis and adjuvant chemotherapy benefits in stage II and III gastric cancer. Tumor immune microenvironment biomarkers and tumor-cell chemosensitivity might add predictive value to staging. This study aimed to construct a predictive signature integrating tumor immune microenvironment and chemosensitivity-related features to improve the prediction of survival and adjuvant chemotherapy benefits in patients with stage II to III gastric cancer. We used IHC to assess 26 features related to tumor, stroma, and chemosensitivity in tumors from 223 patients and evaluated the association of the features with disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Support vector machine (SVM)–based methods were used to develop the predictive signature, which we call the SVM signature. Validation of the signature was performed in two independent cohorts of 445 patients. The diagnostic signature integrated seven features: CD3+ cells at the invasive margin (CD3 IM), CD8+ cells at the IM (CD8 IM), CD45RO+ cells in the center of tumors (CD45RO CT), CD66b+ cells at the IM (CD66b IM), CD34+ cells, periostin, and cyclooxygenase-2. Patients fell into low- and high-SVM groups with significant differences in 5-year DFS and OS in the training and validation cohorts (all P < 0.001). The signature was an independent prognosis indicator in multivariate analysis in each cohort. The signature had better prognostic value than various clinicopathologic risk factors and single features. High-SVM patients exhibited a favorable response to adjuvant chemotherapy. Thus, this SVM signature predicted survival and has the potential for identifying patients with stage II and III gastric cancer who could benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy.
Clinical and Radiographic Characteristics of Sinonasal Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder and Invasive Fungal Sinusitis
Authors: Parasher Arjun K. , Lerner David K. , Glicksman Jordan T. , Nabavizadeh Seyed A. , Palmer James N. , Adappa Nithin D.
Published: October 2019

Background: Sinonasal posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a serious but uncommon complication of solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation that can overlap in many features with invasive fungal sinusitis (IFS). Objective: To identify clinical, laboratory, and radiographic features that may help to differentiate sinonasal IFS and PTLD in the posttransplant population. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with posttransplant sinonasal PTLD and IFS to evaluate for clinical, laboratory, and imaging characteristics. Results: A total of 4 patients with sinonasal PTLD and 10 posttransplant IFS patients were evaluated. A total of 2 of 4 PTLD patients presented with a symptom duration of greater than 3 months compared to none in the IFS group (p = 0.07). Mean absolute neutrophil count (ANC) was 2,976 per mm3 (range 2,488–3,462) in the PTLD group compared to 773 per mm3 (range 0.0–2,744) in the IFS group (p = 0.01). Both PTLD lesions with available diffusion-weighted imaging demonstrated diffusion restriction on magnetic resonance im­aging (MRI) compared to zero of the IFS lesions (p = 0.10). No PTLD lesions demonstrated mucosal infarcts compared to three of seven IFS lesions (p = 0.23). Conclusion: IFS was associated with a significantly lower ANC at the time of diagnosis compared to PTLD. Additionally, three other measures trend towards association with their respective pathology. PTLD typically has a more chronic time course than IFS, diffusion restriction on MRI is predominantly associated with PTLD patients, and mucosal infarct on MRI is more suggestive of IFS. Additionally, all cases of sinonasal PTLD arose following solid organ transplantation. These factors may assist clinicians during diagnosis.
Mutations of GNAQ, GNA11, SF3B1, EIF1AX, PLCB4 and CYSLTR in Uveal Melanoma in Chinese Patients
Authors: Hou Chen , Xiao Lirong , Ren Xiang , Tang Fei , Guo Bo , Zeng Wenjing , Liang Chen , Yan Naihong
Published: October 2019

Background: The purpose of this study is to determine the mutation frequencies of key driver genes in uveal melanoma (UM) in Chinese patients and to detect associations between metastasis and the mutation of these genes. Method: A total of 85 patients with UM were enrolled in this study, including 18 patients with metastasis and 67 without metastasis. Sanger sequencing covering the mutational hotspot regions of the G protein subunit alpha Q (GNAQ), GNA11, splicing factor 3B subunit 1 (SF3B1), X-linked eukaryotic translation initiation factor 1A (EIF1AX), phospholipase C beta 4 (PLCB4) and cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 2 (CYSLTR2) genes was used to analyse the mutations in Chinese patients. Results: The frequencies of GNAQ and GNA11 mutations in UM were 45% (38/85) and 35% (30/85) respectively. The frequencies of SF3B1 and EIF1AX mutations were 37% (31/85) and 9% (8/85) respectively. Only 2 mutations were detected in exon 4 of GNAQ, and no mutations were detected in exon 4 of GNA11. A novel mutation, c.627G>T (Q209H) in GNA11 was found. The detected mutations affecting SF3B1 were c.1873C>T (R625C), c.1874G>A (R625H) and c.1874G>T (R625L). The association between the mutations in SF3B1 and low risk of metastasis was statistically significant (OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.035–0.819). The mutations affecting EIF1AX were –23G>A (5′-UTR), c.5C>G (P2R), c.23G>A (G8Q), c.25G>C (G9A) and c.38_39GC>CT (R13P). No mutations were found in the PLCB4 and CYSLTR2 genes. Unfortunately, information on BRCA1-associated protein 1 could not be obtained. Conclusions: These data indicate that mutations in the PLCB4 and CYSLTR2 genes are rare in Chinese UM patients. The mutations in GNAQ, GNA11 and EIF1AX were not associated with metastasis, whereas SF3B1 mutations were correlated with low risk of metastasis and demonstrated a protective effect in UM patients in China.
Long-Term Follow-Up of Advanced Liver Disease after Sustained Virological Response to Treatment of Hepatitis C with Direct-Acting Antivirals: Outcomes from a Real-World Portuguese Cohort
Authors: Pereira Guedes Tiago , Fragoso Pedro , Lemos Carolina , Garrido Mónica , Silva Joana , Falcão Daniela , Maia Luís , Moreira Teresa , Manuel Ferreira José , Pedroto Isabel
Published: October 2019

Background: Direct-acting antivirals (DAA) have revolutionized hepatitis C treatment, with high sustained virological response (SVR) rates reported, even in historically difficult-to-treat groups. SVR is associated with a decreased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), need for transplantation, and overall and liver-related mortality. Data from real-life cohorts on the medium- to long-term outcomes of patients with advanced liver disease and DAA-induced SVR are still missing. Objectives: To report and analyze the long-term outcomes of DAA-induced SVR in a real-life cohort of patients with advanced liver disease. Method: In this retrospective, longitudinal, single-center study, we collected data from patients with chronic hepatitis C infection and advanced liver disease (cirrhosis or advanced fibrosis) that had initiated DAA treatment between February 2015 and January 2017. Results: A total of 237 patients were included. A treatment completion rate of 98.7% and an SVR rate of 97.8% (intention to treat: 96.6%) were found. Of the 229 patients with SVR, 67.2% were cirrhotic (64.2% Child-Pugh class A; 3.1% Child-Pugh class B) and 32.8% had stage F3 fibrosis, with an average follow-up of 28 months. The overall mortality rate was 19/1,000 person-years and the liver-related mortality rate was 9.5/1,000 person-years. The hepatic decompensation incidence rate was 25/1,000 person-years and the HCC incidence rate was 11.6/1,000 person-years. There was a sustained increase in serum platelet values during up to 2 years of follow-up. A history of pretreatment decompensation and baseline platelet and albumin values were significantly associated with the occurrence of adverse liver events after the end of treatment. Conclusions: A DAA-induced SVR remains durable and is associated with an excellent clinical prognosis in patients with compensated advanced liver disease and with improvement or disease stabilization in decompensated patients. SVR is associated with a low risk of – yet does not prevent – HCC occurrence or disease progression, especially in the presence of other causes of liver injury. It is recommended that these patients be kept under surveillance.
Hidradenitis Suppurativa or Hidradenitis Suppurativa-Like Lesions Located on Amputation Stumps? Description of 2 Cases
Authors: Kluger Nicolas , Guillem Philippe , Kivivuori Minttu , Isoherranen Kirsi
Published: October 2019

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic and recurrent inflammatory skin disorder affecting mainly the areas rich in apocrine sweat glands, such as the axillae, groins and buttocks. The role of mechanical pressure and friction due to clothing in the pathogenesis of HS lesions has been previously stressed. Here, we report 2 middle-aged men who presented with HS lesions/HS-like lesions on their amputation stump and review 2 additional cases from the literature. Management was challenging as 2 patients needed tumor necrosis αinhibitor while deroofing/surgery was the option for the 2 others. These cases highlight that mechanical pressure and friction are environmental factors that can play a role in the pathogenesis of HS lesions.
Predictors of Care Gaps in Home Dialysis: The Home Dialysis Virtual Ward Study
Authors: Nadeau-Fredette Annie-Claire , Chan Christopher T. , Bargman Joanne M. , Copland Michael A. , Finkle S. Neil , Oliver Matthew J. , Pauly Robert P. , Perl Jeffrey , Shah Nikhil A. , Zimmerman Deborah L. , Tennankore Karthik K.
Published: October 2019

Background: Home dialysis patients may be at an increased risk of adverse events after transitional states. The home dialysis virtual ward (HDVW) trial was conducted in Canadian dialysis centers and aimed to evaluate potential care gaps and patient satisfaction during the HDVW. Methods: The HDVW was a multicenter single-arm trial including peritoneal dialysis and home hemodialysis patients after 4 different events (hospital discharge, medical procedure, antibiotics, completion of training). Telephone-led interviews using a standardized assessment tool were performed over a 2-week period to assess a patient’s care and adjust treatment as required. Upon completion, patients were surveyed to evaluate their perceived impact on domains of care using a rating scale; 1 not satisfied to 10 completely satisfied. Results: The HDVW trial included 193 patients with a median number of potential care gaps/interventions of 1 (0–2) per patient. Patients admitted to the HDVW after hospital discharge were at a higher risk of potential gaps in care (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.29–3.62), while longer dialysis vintage was ­associated with a lower number of gaps/interventions (OR 0.97 per year, 95% CI 0.95–0.98). A total of 105/193 (54%) patients completed satisfaction surveys. Patients were highly satisfied with the HDVW (median rating scale score 8, IQR 2) and felt it had a positive impact (rating scale score ≥7) on their overall health, understanding of treatment and access to a nephrologist. Conclusion: The HDVW was effective at identifying several potential care gaps, and patients were satisfied across several domains of care. This intervention may be valuable in supporting home dialysis patients during care transitions.
The Silent Minority: Insights into Who Fails to Present for Medical Care Following a Brain Injury
Authors: Gordon Kevin E.
Published: October 2019

Background: The WHO and Center for Disease Control have identified that current estimates of brain injury incidence miss individuals who do not seek medical attention for their injury. Methods: The Canadian Community Health Survey is a nationally representative health survey. Respondents aged 12 years and above reporting “concussion or other brain injury” occurring within the previous year also reported whether they had received any medical attention from a health professional within 48 h of their injury. Results: Nationally representative data were available biennially from 2000/2001 through 2013/2014 with the exception of 2007/2008 and 2011/2012. In all, 1,749 respondents reported concussion or other brain injury with disability in the previous 12 months. Of these, 21.9% (95% CI 19.0–24.7) reported not having received medical attention from a health professional within 48 h following their injury. Within a multivariable model, those who are more likely not to receive medical care with 48 h of incurring a brain injury are more likely to be younger (<20 years) or older (>24 years), have an injury incurred through sports exposure or in or around their home, do not identify as immigrant, and are currently smokers. The area under the ROC was modest at 0.58. Conclusions: Within a nationally representative sample of individuals reporting concussion or other brain injury, we found that those reporting medical non-attendance and those reporting medical attendance within 48 h of their injury were remarkably similar. This outcome suggests that brain injury surveillance based on point of care may produce relatively unbiased samples of the brain injured population.
Análise da sustentabilidade de projetos de assentamentos rurais em Goiás
Authors: Santos Júnio Gregório Roza , Castro Selma Simões
Published: October 2019

O insucesso da política de Projetos de Assentamentos Rurais (PAs) no País é amplamente conhecido e estudado por meio de metodologias de avaliação do seu desempenho, sendo que poucos utilizaram indicadores e respectivos parâmetros integrados de avaliação da sustentabilidade. Este artigo objetiva apresentar os resultados de aplicação de metodologia baseada na análise de Funções de Uso das Terras – FUT, como condicionantes estruturantes da sustentabilidade, aplicada a PAs do estado de Goiás, comparativamente bem e mal sucedidos, representativos de duas regiões bem contrastadas ambiental e socioeconomicamente, o Nordeste goiano e o Sul goiano. Os resultados indicaram que o PA do Nordeste goiano pode ser considerado insustentável, mas preserva grande parte do Cerrado nativo, o que lhe atribui uma qualificação contraditória. Já o PA do Sul Goiano, sustentável, exibe maior equilíbrio entre os fatores sociais, econômicos e ambientais estudados embora preserve apenas a cobertura obrigatória pela legislação ambiental.
Capitalismo vagabundo e a necessidade da reprodução social - Cindi Katz
Authors: Franca Gilberto Cunha , Fontes Valeria
Published: October 2019

Neste artigo Cindi Katz levanta um problema intrínseco da produção capitalista globalizada: o descompromisso com os lugares e seus habitantes, agravando desigualdades de classe, gênero, raça. A autora discute este problema de maneira singular a partir de uma abordagem materialista da reprodução social. Como a globalização, a reprodução social é examinada em seus aspectos político-econômicos, político-ecológicos e culturais. Em um caso ilustrado, sobre crianças e espaços públicos em Nova Iorque, ela desenvolve o conceito de reescalonamento da infância, e nos mostra como as geografias específicas se interligam aos processos globais através de escalas geográficas e translocalmente. Katz propõe, além disso, os conceitos de topografia e contra-topografia que são tanto uma maneira de analisar a intersecção dos processos globais e seus custos sociais, geograficamente desiguais, quanto um instrumento político para reconstruir solidariedades translocais e internacionalistas contra este errante e irresponsável capitalismo globalizado.
Is Vagal Response During Left Atrial Ganglionated Plexi Stimulation a Normal Phenomenon?
Authors: Iso Kazuki , Okumura Yasuo , Watanabe Ichiro , Nagashima Koichi , Takahashi Keiko , Arai Masaru , Watanabe Ryuta , Wakamatsu Yuji , Otsuka Naoto , Yagyu Seina , Kurokawa Sayaka , Nakai Toshiko , Ohkubo Kimie , Hirayama Atsushi
Published: October 2019

Background:

Ganglionated plexi (GPs) play an important role in both the initiation and maintenance of atrial fibrillation (AF). GPs can be located by using continuous high-frequency stimulation (HFS) to elicit a vagal response, but whether the vagal response phenomenon is common to patients without AF is unknown.

Methods:

HFS of the left atrial GPs was performed in 42 patients (aged 58.0±10.2 years) undergoing ablation for AF and 21 patients (aged 53.2±12.8 years) undergoing ablation for a left-sided accessory pathway. The HFS (20 Hz, 25 mA, 10-ms pulse duration) was applied for 5 seconds at 3 sites within the presumed anatomic area of each of the 5 major left atrial GPs (for a total of 15 sites per patient). We defined vagal response to HFS as prolongation of the R-R interval by >50% in comparison to the mean pre-HFS R-R interval averaged over 10 beats and active-GP areas as areas in which a vagal response was elicited.

Results:

Overall, more active-GP areas were found in the AF group patients than in the non-AF group patients, and at all 5 major GPs, the maximum R-R interval during HFS was significantly prolonged in the AF patients. After multivariate adjustment, association was established between the total number of vagal response sites and the presence of AF.

Conclusions:

The significant increase in vagal responses elicited in patients with AF compared with responses in non-AF patients suggests that vagal responses to HFS reflect abnormally increased GP activity specific to AF substrates.
Insights Into Myocardial Oxygen Consumption, Energetics, and Efficiency Under Left Ventricular Assist Device Support Using Noninvasive Pressure-Volume Loops
Authors: Jain Pankaj , Shehab Sajad , Muthiah Kavitha , Robson Desiree , Granegger Marcus , Drakos Stavros G. , Jansz Paul , Macdonald Peter S. , Hayward Christopher S.
Published: October 2019

Background:

Assessment of left ventricular (LV) recovery under continuous-flow LV assist device therapy is hampered by concomitant pump support. We describe derivation of noninvasive pressure-volume loops in continuous-flow LV assist device patients and demonstrate an application in the assessment of recovery.

Methods and Results:

Using pump controller parameters and noninvasive arterial pressure waveforms, central aortic pressure, outflow conduit pressure gradient, and instantaneous LV pressure were calculated. Instantaneous LV volumes were calculated from echocardiographic LV end-diastolic volume accounting for the integral of pump flow with respect to time and aortic ejection volume derived from the pump speed waveform. Pressure-volume loops were derived during pump speed adjustment and following bolus intravenous milrinone to assess changes in loading conditions and contractility, respectively. Fourteen patients were studied. Baseline noninvasive LV end-diastolic pressure correlated with invasive pulmonary arterial wedge pressure (
r
2
=0.57, root mean square error 5.0 mm Hg,
P
=0.003). Measured noninvasively, milrinone significantly increased LV ejection fraction (40.3±13.6% versus 36.8±14.2%,
P
<0.0001), maximum dP/dt (623±126 versus 555±122 mm Hg/s,
P
=0.006), and end-systolic elastance (1.03±0.57 versus 0.89±0.38 mm Hg/mL,
P
=0.008), consistent with its expected inotropic effect. Milrinone reduced myocardial oxygen consumption (0.15±0.06 versus 0.16±0.07 mL/beat,
P
=0.003) and improved myocardial efficiency (43.7±14.0% versus 41.2±15.5%,
P
=0.001). Reduced pump speed caused increased LV end-diastolic volume (190±80 versus 165±71 mL,
P
<0.0001) and LV end-diastolic pressure (14.3±10.2 versus 9.9±9.3 mm Hg,
P
=0.024), consistent with a predictable increase in preload. There was increased myocardial oxygen consumption (0.16±0.07 versus 0.14±0.06 mL O
2
/beat,
P
<0.0001) despite unchanged stroke work (
P
=0.24), reflecting decreased myocardial efficiency (39.2±12.7% versus 45.2±17.0%,
P
=0.003).

Conclusions:

Pressure-volume loops are able to be derived noninvasively in patients with the HeartWare HVAD and can detect induced changes in load and contractility.
Recurrent Neural Networks for Early Detection of Heart Failure From Longitudinal Electronic Health Record Data
Authors: Chen Robert , Stewart Walter F. , Sun Jimeng , Ng Kenney , Yan Xiaowei
Published: October 2019

Background:

We determined the impact of data volume and diversity and training conditions on recurrent neural network methods compared with traditional machine learning methods.

Methods and Results:

Using longitudinal electronic health record data, we assessed the relative performance of machine learning models trained to detect a future diagnosis of heart failure in primary care patients. Model performance was assessed in relation to data parameters defined by the combination of different data domains (data diversity), the number of patient records in the training data set (data quantity), the number of encounters per patient (data density), the prediction window length, and the observation window length (ie, the time period before the prediction window that is the source of features for prediction). Data on 4370 incident heart failure cases and 30 132 group-matched controls were used. Recurrent neural network model performance was superior under a variety of conditions that included (1) when data were less diverse (eg, a single data domain like medication or vital signs) given the same training size; (2) as data quantity increased; (3) as density increased; (4) as the observation window length increased; and (5) as the prediction window length decreased. When all data domains were used, the performance of recurrent neural network models increased in relation to the quantity of data used (ie, up to 100% of the data). When data are sparse (ie, fewer features or low dimension), model performance is lower, but a much smaller training set size is required to achieve optimal performance compared with conditions where data are more diverse and includes more features.

Conclusions:

Recurrent neural networks are effective for predicting a future diagnosis of heart failure given sufficient training set size. Model performance appears to continue to improve in direct relation to training set size.
Storing Object-Dependent Sparse Codes in a Willshaw Associative Network
Authors: Sa-Couto Luis , Wichert Andreas
Published: October 2019

Willshaw networks are single-layered neural networks that store associations between binary vectors. Using only binary weights, these networks can be implemented efficiently to store large numbers of patterns and allow for fault-tolerant recovery of those patterns from noisy cues. However, this is only the case when the involved codes are sparse and randomly generated. In this letter, we use a recently proposed approach that maps visual patterns into informative binary features. By doing so, we manage to transform MNIST handwritten digits into well-distributed codes that we then store in a Willshaw network in autoassociation. We perform experiments with both noisy and noiseless cues and verify a tenuous impact on the recovered pattern's relevant information. More specifically, we were able to perform retrieval after filling the memory to several factors of its number of units while preserving the information of the class to which the pattern belongs.
Consistency and validity of interdisciplinarity measures
Authors: Wang Qi , Schneider Jesper Wiborg
Published: October 2019

Measuring interdisciplinarity is a pertinent but challenging issue in quantitative studies of science. There seems to be a consensus in the literature that the concept of interdisciplinarity is multifaceted and ambiguous. Unsurprisingly, various different measures of interdisciplinarity have been proposed. However, few studies have thoroughly examined the validity and relations between these measures. In this study, we present a systematic review of these interdisciplinarity measures and explore their inherent relations. We examine these measures in relation to the Web of Science journal subject categories. Our results corroborate recent claims that the current measurements of interdisciplinarity in science studies are both confusing and unsatisfying. We find surprisingly deviant results when comparing measures that supposedly should capture similar features or dimensions of the concept of interdisciplinarity. We therefore argue that the current measurements of interdisciplinarity should be interpreted with much caution in science and evaluation studies, or in relation to science policies. We also question the validity of current measures and argue that we do not need more of the same, but rather something different in order to be able to measure the multidimensional and complex construct of interdisciplinarity.
Checklist of the water mites (Acari: Hydrachnidia) of Turkey: First supplement
Authors: ERMAN ORHAN , GÜLLE PINAR , ÖZKAN MUHLİS , CANDOĞAN HÜLYA , BOYACI YUNUS ÖMER
Published: October 2019

As a first supplement to the list of the water mites (Acari, Hydrachnidia) fauna of Turkey compiled by Erman et al. (2010), a faunistic list of water mites from Turkey is presented based on published data after 2010. Including the new data, the total number of taxa recorded from Turkey reaches 335 species, in 62 genera and 25 families. The new synonym is established Trichothyas (Lundbladia) anatolica Boyacı & Gülle, 2014 = Dacothyas kandilliensis Oezkan & Bader, 1988. Furthermore, for each family, the number of species is given, both, for this study and totally.