bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cost-effectiveness of positive airway pressure modalities in obesity hypoventilation syndrome with severe obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: Masa Juan F , Mokhlesi Babak , Benítez Iván , Gómez de Terreros Caro Francisco Javier , Sánchez-Quiroga M-Ángeles , Romero Auxiliadora , Caballero Candela , Alonso-Álvarez Maria Luz , Ordax-Carbajo Estrella , Gómez-García Teresa , González Mónica , López-Martín Soledad , Marin Jose M , Martí Sergi , Díaz-Cambriles Trinidad , Chiner Eusebi , Egea Carlos , Barca Javier , Vázquez-Polo Francisco-José , Negrín Miguel Angel , Martel-Escobar María , Barbé Ferran , Corral-Peñafiel Jaime
Published: March 2020

Background

Obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) is treated with either non-invasive ventilation (NIV) or CPAP, but there are no long-term cost-effectiveness studies comparing the two treatment modalities.

Objectives

We performed a large, multicentre, randomised, open-label controlled study to determine the comparative long-term cost and effectiveness of NIV versus CPAP in patients with OHS with severe obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) using hospitalisation days as the primary outcome measure.

Methods

Hospital resource utilisation and within trial costs were evaluated against the difference in effectiveness based on the primary outcome (hospitalisation days/year, transformed and non-transformed in monetary term). Costs and effectiveness were estimated from a log-normal distribution using a Bayesian approach. A secondary analysis by adherence subgroups was performed.

Results

In total, 363 patients were selected, 215 were randomised and 202 were available for the analysis. The median (IQR) follow-up was 3.01 (2.91–3.14) years for NIV group and 3.00 (2.92–3.17) years for CPAP. The mean (SD) Bayesian estimated hospital days was 2.13 (0.73) for CPAP and 1.89 (0.78) for NIV. The mean (SD) Bayesian estimated cost per patient/year in the NIV arm, excluding hospitalisation costs, was €2075.98 (91.6), which was higher than the cost in the CPAP arm of €1219.06 (52.3); mean difference €857.6 (105.5). CPAP was more cost-effective than NIV (99.5% probability) because longer hospital stay in the CPAP arm was compensated for by its lower costs. Similar findings were observed in the high and low adherence subgroups.

Conclusion

CPAP is more cost-effective than NIV; therefore, CPAP should be the preferred treatment for patients with OHS with severe OSA.

Trial registration number

NCT01405976
Duration of neonatal oxygen supplementation, erythropoiesis and blood pressure in young adults born preterm
Authors: Flahault Adrien , Girard-Bock Camille , Fernandes Rafael Oliveira , Cloutier Anik , Pastore Yves D , Luu Thuy Mai , Nuyt Anne Monique
Published: March 2020

Background

Although erythropoiesis is impaired and anaemia frequent in neonates born preterm, haematopoiesis in adults born preterm has not been previously studied.

Objective

We, thus, aimed to evaluate haemoglobin and erythropoietin levels in young adults born preterm, to identify neonatal events associated with erythropoiesis in adulthood and to examine the relationships of haemoglobin levels with respiratory function and blood pressure.

Methods

We assessed a cohort of 101 young adults (ages 18–29) born preterm (≤29 weeks of gestation), in comparison to 105 full-term controls. We measured haemoglobin, erythropoietin levels and blood pressure. We also assessed respiratory function using spirometry.

Results

Compared with controls, tobacco use and sex-adjusted haemoglobin levels were 5.3 (95% CI 2.9 to 7.7) g/L higher in preterm-born individuals, but erythropoietin levels were similar. Duration of oxygen supplementation in the neonatal period was independently associated with higher haemoglobin levels in the preterm group. In young adults born preterm with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, airflow limitation was associated with higher haemoglobin levels. Both systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure were increased in individuals born preterm (p=0.042 and p=0.0008, respectively). Higher haemoglobin levels were associated with higher SBP and DBP, independently of term or preterm status. Mediation analysis suggests that haemoglobin increase contributes to 37% and 32% of the effect of preterm birth on SBP and DBP, respectively.

Conclusions

Haemoglobin levels are higher in young adults born preterm, while erythropoietin levels are similar, especially in case of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and airflow limitation, and haemoglobin increase is associated with elevated blood pressure in this population.
Lactoferrin and oral pathologies: a therapeutic treatment
Authors: Rosa Luigi , Lepanto Maria Stefania , Cutone Antimo , Ianiro Giusi , Pernarella Stefania , Sangermano Riccardo , Musci Giovanni , Ottolenghi Livia , Valenti Piera
Published: March 2020

The oral cavity is a non-uniform, extraordinary environment characterized by mucosal, epithelial, abiotic surfaces and secretions as saliva. Aerobic and anaerobic commensal and pathogenic microorganisms colonize the tongue, teeth, jowl, gingiva, and periodontium. Commensals exert an important role in host defenses, while pathogenic microorganisms can nullify this protective function causing oral and systemic diseases. Every day, 750–1000 mL of saliva, containing several host defense constituents including lactoferrin (Lf), are secreted and swallowed. Lf is a multifunctional iron-chelating cationic glycoprotein of innate immunity. Depending on, or regardless of its iron-binding ability, Lf exerts bacteriostatic, bactericidal, antibiofilm, antioxidant, antiadhesive, anti-invasive, and anti-inflammatory activities. Here, we report the protective role of Lf in different oral pathologies, such as xerostomia, halitosis, alveolar or maxillary bone damage, gingivitis, periodontitis, and black stain. Unlike antibiotic therapy, which is ineffective against bacteria that are within a biofilm, adherent, or intracellular, the topical administration of Lf, through its simultaneous activity against microbial replication, biofilms, adhesion, and invasiveness, as well as inflammation, has been proven to be efficient in the treatment of all known oral pathologies without any adverse effects.
Benefit-cost analysis of near-infrared spectroscopy technology adoption by Alberta hog producers
Authors: Brown Bijon A. , An Henry , Jeffrey Scott R.
Published: March 2020

Feed cost is a significant component of livestock production costs, accounting for over half of total operating costs for hog producers. This provides an incentive to minimize feed costs while meeting dietary requirements. However, producers may not know the nutritional content of their feed grains with certainty. Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) imaging technology can quickly and accurately estimate the nutritional content of different types of feed grain. Although the technology has been available for almost five decades, producer adoption has been slow due to issues with cost and usability. The objectives of this study are to estimate feed cost savings resulting from the adoption of NIRS on a representative Alberta hog farm and to conduct a benefit-cost analysis to investigate the potential viability of NIRS adoption. A joint mathematical programming-simulation approach is used to estimate the cost savings generated by adoption of NIRS technology. Results suggest mean annual savings of up to $4 per hog and benefit-cost results suggest that adopting NIRS technology may be viable, particularly for larger Alberta hog operations. However, initial investment requirements, uncertainty in the magnitude of benefits, and access to the technology from feed mills will likely continue to limit adoption.
Taxonomy and distribution of bottlenose dolphins (genusTursiops) in Australian waters: an osteological clarification
Authors: Jedensjö M. , Kemper C.M. , Milella M. , Willems E.P. , Krützen M.
Published: March 2020

Species relationships in the bottlenose dolphin (genus Tursiops Gervais, 1855) are controversial. We carried out a comprehensive osteological study of 264 skulls, including type specimens, and 90 postcranial skeletons of Tursiops spp. to address taxonomic uncertainties in Australia using two-dimensional (2D) measurements, and three-dimensional geometric morphometrics (3DGM), tooth and vertebral counts, and categorical data. Analyses provided support for the presence of two forms, aligned to the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus (Ehrenberg, 1832)) and the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus (Montagu, 1821)), including type specimens. The Burrunan dolphin (Tursiops australis Charlton-Robb, Gershwin, Thompson, Austin, Owen and McKechnie, 2011) fell well within T. truncatus for both 2D and 3DGM methods. Thirteen Tursiops spp. specimens, no T. australis specimens, were of intermediate size (2D) and could not be assigned to either species. For 3DGM data, there was a strong allometric influence and few non-allometric differences between species. Length and width of the cranium and rostrum were important discriminating variables. Tursiops aduncus was smaller, had more teeth, fewer vertebrae, and more erosion on the pterygoids and frontals than T. truncatus. Overall cranium shape was round in T. aduncus and angular in T. truncatus. Skull length of T. aduncus was smaller in low than in high latitudes. This study highlights the importance of large sample size, multiple analytical methods, and extensive geographical coverage when undertaking taxonomic studies.
Role of green alder in boreal conifer growth: competitor or facilitator?
Authors: Urli Morgane , Thiffault Nelson , Houle Daniel , Gauthier Sylvie , Bergeron Yves
Published: March 2020

Sustainable forest management implies successful regeneration after disturbances. Low N availability and competition can, however, limit tree establishment in boreal ecosystems. To develop silviculture strategies that maintain productivity in such context, we established a field trial in northern Québec, Canada. We evaluated if a companion N2-fixing species ( Alnus alnobetula) promotes or hinders Picea mariana and Pinus banksiana establishment over six growing seasons. We tested if Alnus has a facilitation effect through nutritional processes and a competition effect through light interception. Foliar stable nitrogen isotope ratio ( δ15N = 15N/14N, ‰) results confirmed that Alnus obtains a substantial part of its N through biological fixation and represents an N source in this system. Although we did not observe increased foliar N concentrations in either conifer species in the presence of Alnus, Pinus growth was nonetheless higher in presence of Alnus, whereas no difference was observed for Picea. In the plots where Alnus cohabited with the conifers, the former had a negative impact on seedling growth, suggesting a significant competition for light. Overall, the net effect of Alnus was positive for Pinus and neutral for Picea. Our results have significant implications for silviculture in N-limited systems, especially in the context of climate change that imposes increased levels of stress on regeneration.
The decay τ → K∗0(892)K−ντ in the extended NJL model
Authors: Volkov M. K. , Pivovarov A. A. , Nurlan K.
Published: March 2020

In the extended Nambu–Jona-Lasinio model, the branching fraction of [Formula: see text] is calculated. The contributions from the contact diagram and the diagrams with intermediate axial-vector, vector and pseudoscalar mesons in the ground and first radially excited states are taken into account. It is shown that an axial-vector and vector channel with a contact diagram give a dominant contribution to the branching fraction. The obtained results for the branching fraction [Formula: see text] are in satisfactory agreement with experimental data. A prediction for the differential distribution over the invariant mass of the meson pair [Formula: see text] is given.
Structural state and thermodynamic stability of Al–Cu alloys
Authors: Filonenko Nataliia
Published: March 2020

It is known that processes occurring in binary system melts affect the crystallization process and the phase composition of alloys. To predict these processes, we should determine the region of thermodynamic stability of the melt. In this paper, the structural properties of hypoeutectic and hypereutectic alloys in Al–Cu system are studied depending on the heating temperature above the liquidus line and aftercooling rate. It is shown that overheating of Al–Cu melts to 150 K above the liquidus line and further cooling leads to complete suppression of the process of formation of primary aluminum crystals in hypoeutectic alloys and [Formula: see text] phase in hypereutectic alloys. For the first time, by accounting in Gibbs energy of binary Al–Cu alloy for the first degree approximation of high-temperature expansion of thermodynamic potential, the dependence of temperature of line of the melt thermodynamic stability on copper content in alloy is obtained.
A novel construction for quantum stabilizer codes based on binary formalism
Authors: Nguyen Duc Manh , Kim Sunghwan
Published: March 2020

In this research, we propose a novel construction of quantum stabilizer code based on a binary formalism. First, from any binary vector of even length, we generate the parity-check matrix of the quantum code from a set composed of elements from this vector and its relations by shifts via subtraction and addition. We prove that the proposed matrices satisfy the condition constraint for the construction of quantum codes. Finally, we consider some constraint vectors which give us quantum stabilizer codes with various dimensions and a large minimum distance with code length from six to twelve digits.
Proactive Caching for Low Access-Delay Services under Uncertain Predictions
Authors: Liu Ran , Yeh Edmund , Eryilmaz Atilla
Published: March 2020

Network traffic of delay-sensitive services has become a dominant part in the network. Proactive caching with the aid of predictive information has been proposed as a promising method to enhance the delay performance, which is one of the principal concerns of such services. In this paper, we analytically investigate the problem of how to efficiently utilize uncertain predictive information to design proactive caching strategies with provably good access-delay characteristics. First, we derive an upper bound for the average amount of proactive service per request that the system can support. Then we analyze the behavior of a family of threshold-based proactive strategies with a Markov chain, which shows that the average amount of proactive service per request can be maximized by properly selecting the threshold. Finally, we propose the UNIFORM strategy, which is the threshold-based strategy with the optimal threshold, and show that it outperforms the commonly used Earliest-Deadline-First (EDF) type proactive strategies in terms of delay. We perform extensive numerical experiments to demonstrate the influence of thresholds on delay performance under the threshold-based strategies, and specifically compare the EDF strategy and the UNIFORM strategy to verify our results.
Analyzing Location-Based Advertising for Vehicle Service Providers Using Effective Resistances
Authors: Yu Haoran , Wei Ermin , Berry Randall A.
Published: March 2020

Vehicle service providers can display commercial ads in their vehicles based on passengers' origins and destinations to create a new revenue stream. In this work, we study a vehicle service provider who can generate different ad revenues when displaying ads on different arcs (i.e., origin-destination pairs). The provider needs to ensure the vehicle flow balance at each location, which makes it challenging to analyze the provider's vehicle assignment and pricing decisions for different arcs. For example, the provider's price for its service on an arc depends on the ad revenues on other arcs as well as on the arc in question. To tackle the problem, we show that the traffic network corresponds to an electrical network. When the effective resistance between two locations is small, there are many paths between the two locations and the provider can easily route vehicles between them. We characterize the dependence of an arc's optimal price on any other arc's ad revenue using the effective resistances between these two arcs' origins and destinations. Furthermore, we study the provider's optimal selection of advertisers when it can only display ads for a limited number of advertisers. If each advertiser has one target arc for advertising, the provider should display ads for the advertiser whose target arc has a small effective resistance. We investigate the performance of our advertiser selection strategy based on a real-world dataset.
Securing Distributed Gradient Descent in High Dimensional Statistical Learning
Authors: Su Lili , Xu Jiaming
Published: March 2020

We consider unreliable distributed learning systems wherein the training data is kept confidential by external workers, and the learner has to interact closely with those workers to train a model. In particular, we assume that there exists a system adversary that can adaptively compromise some workers; the compromised workers deviate from their local designed specifications by sending out arbitrarily malicious messages. We assume in each communication round, up to q out of the m workers suffer Byzantine faults. Each worker keeps a local sample of size n and the total sample size is N=nm. We propose a secured variant of the gradient descent method that can tolerate up to a constant fraction of Byzantine workers, i.e., q/m = O(1). Moreover, we show the statistical estimation error of the iterates converges in O(log N) rounds to O(√/N + √/N ), where d is the model dimension. As long as q=O(d), our proposed algorithm achieves the optimal error rate O(√/N $. Our results are obtained under some technical assumptions. Specifically, we assume strongly-convex population risk. Nevertheless, the empirical risk (sample version) is allowed to be non-convex. The core of our method is to robustly aggregate the gradients computed by the workers based on the filtering procedure proposed by Steinhardt et al. On the technical front, deviating from the existing literature on robustly estimating a finite-dimensional mean vector, we establish a uniform concentration of the sample covariance matrix of gradients, and show that the aggregated gradient, as a function of model parameter, converges uniformly to the true gradient function. To get a near-optimal uniform concentration bound, we develop a new matrix concentration inequality, which might be of independent interest.
App in the Middle
Authors: Zhang Lei , Yang Zhemin , He Yuyu , Li Mingqi , Yang Sen , Yang Min , Zhang Yuan , Qian Zhiyun
Published: March 2020

Customizability is a key feature of the Android operating system that differentiates it from Apple's iOS. One concrete feature that gaining popularity is called "app virtualization''. This feature allows multiple copies of the same app to be installed and opened simultaneously (e.g., with multiple accounts logged in). Virtualization frameworks are used by more than 100 million users worldwide. As with any new system features, we are interested in two aspects: (1) whether the feature itself introduces security risks and (2) whether the feature is abused for unintended purposes. This paper conducts a systematic study on the two aspects of the app virtualization techniques.

With a thorough study of 32 popular virtualization frameworks from Google Play, we identify seven areas of potential attack vectors and find that most of the frameworks are susceptible to them. By deeply investigating their ecosystem, we show, with demonstrations, that attackers can easily distribute malware that takes advantage of these attack vectors. In addition, we show that the same virtualization techniques are also abused by malware as an alternative and easy-to-use repackaging mechanism. To this end, we design and implement a new app repackage detector. After scanning 250,145 apps from app markets, it finds 164 repackaged apps that attempt to steal user credentials and private data.
Lipid Diversity in Cells and Tissue Using Imaging SIMS
Authors: Sämfors Sanna , Fletcher John S.
Published: March 2020

Lipids are an important class of biomolecules with many roles within cells and tissue. As targets for study, they present several challenges. They are difficult to label, as many labels lack the specificity to the many different lipid species or the labels maybe larger than the lipids themselves, thus severely perturbing the natural chemical environment. Mass spectrometry provides exceptional specificity and is often used to examine lipid extracts from different samples. However, spatial information is lost during extraction. Of the different imaging mass spectrometry methods available, secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) is unique in its ability to analyze very small features, with probe sizes <50 nm available. It also offers high surface sensitivity and 3D imaging capability on a subcellular scale. This article reviews the current capabilities and some remaining challenges associated with imaging the diverse lipids present in cell and tissue samples. We show how the technique has moved beyond show-and-tell, proof-of-principle analysis and is now being used to address real biological challenges. These include imaging the microenvironment of cancer tumors, probing the pathophysiology of traumatic brain injury, or tracking the lipid composition through bacterial membranes.
Hemodynamics of Cerebral Aneurysms: Connecting Medical Imaging and Biomechanical Analysis
Authors: Rayz Vitaliy L. , Cohen-Gadol Aaron A.
Published: March 2020

In the last two decades, numerous studies have conducted patient-specific computations of blood flow dynamics in cerebral aneurysms and reported correlations between various hemodynamic metrics and aneurysmal disease progression or treatment outcomes. Nevertheless, intra-aneurysmal flow analysis has not been adopted in current clinical practice, and hemodynamic factors usually are not considered in clinical decision making. This review presents the state of the art in cerebral aneurysm imaging and image-based modeling, discussing the advantages and limitations of each approach and focusing on the translational value of hemodynamic analysis. Combining imaging and modeling data obtained from different flow modalities can improve the accuracy and fidelity of resulting velocity fields and flow-derived factors that are thought to affect aneurysmal disease progression. It is expected that predictive models utilizing hemodynamic factors in combination with patient medical history and morphological data will outperform current risk scores and treatment guidelines. Possible future directions include novel approaches enabling data assimilation and multimodality analysis of cerebral aneurysm hemodynamics.
Multiscale Lithium-Battery Modeling from Materials to Cells
Authors: Li Guanchen , Monroe Charles W.
Published: March 2020

New experimental technology and theoretical approaches have advanced battery research across length scales ranging from the molecular to the macroscopic. Direct observations of nanoscale phenomena and atomistic simulations have enhanced the understanding of the fundamental electrochemical processes that occur in battery materials. This vast and ever-growing pool of microscopic data brings with it the challenge of isolating crucial performance-decisive physical parameters, an effort that often requires the consideration of intricate interactions across very different length scales and timescales. Effective physics-based battery modeling emphasizes the cross-scale perspective, with the aim of showing how nanoscale physicochemical phenomena affect device performance. This review surveys the methods researchers have used to bridge the gap between the nanoscale and the macroscale. We highlight the modeling of properties or phenomena that have direct and considerable impact on battery performance metrics, such as open-circuit voltage and charge/discharge overpotentials. Particular emphasis is given to thermodynamically rigorous multiphysics models that incorporate coupling between materials’ mechanical and electrochemical states.
Effect of ZnO-Saturated Electrolyte on Rechargeable Alkaline Zinc Batteries at Increased Depth-of-Discharge
Authors: Lim Matthew B. , Lambert Timothy N. , Ruiz Elijah I.
Published: March 2020

Rechargeable alkaline batteries containing zinc anodes suffer from redistribution of active material due to the high solubility of ZnO in the electrolyte, limiting achievable capacity and lifetime. Here, we investigate pre-saturating the KOH electrolyte with ZnO as a strategy to mitigate this issue, utilizing rechargeable Ni–Zn cells. In contrast to previous reports featuring this approach, we use more practical limited-electrolyte cells and systematically study ZnO saturation at different levels of zinc depth-of-discharge (DODZn), where the pre-dissolved ZnO is included in the total system capacity. Starting with 32 wt. % KOH, cells tested at 14%, 21%, and 35% DODZn with ZnO-saturated electrolyte exhibit 191%, 235%, and 110% longer cycle life respectively over identically tested cells with ZnO-free electrolyte, with similar energy efficiency and no voltage-related energy losses. Furthermore, anodes cycled in ZnO-saturated electrolyte develop more favorable compact zinc deposits with less overall mass loss. The effect of initial KOH concentration was also studied, with ZnO saturation enhancing cycle life for 32 wt % and 45 wt % KOH but not for 25 wt % KOH, likely due to cell failure by passivation rather than shorting. The simplicity of ZnO addition and its beneficial effect at high zinc utilization make it a promising means to make secondary alkaline zinc batteries more commercially viable.
CORP: The use of deuterated water for the measurement of protein synthesis
Authors: Miller Benjamin F. , Reid Justin J. , Price John C. , Lin Hsien-Jung L. , Atherton Philip J. , Smith Kenneth
Published: March 2020

The use of deuterium oxide (D2O) has greatly expanded the scope of what is possible for the measurement of protein synthesis. The greatest asset of D2O labeling is that it facilitates the measurement of synthesis rates over prolonged periods of time from single proteins through integrated tissue-based measurements. Because the ease of administration, the method is amenable for use in a variety of models and conditions. Although the method adheres to the same rules as other isotope methods, the flexibility can create conditions that are not the same as other approaches and thus requires careful execution to maintain validity and reliability. For this CORP article, we provide a history that gave rise to the method and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the method, the critical assumptions, guidelines, and best practices based on instrumentation, models, and experimental design. The goal of this CORP article is to propagate additional use of D2O in a manner that produces reliable and valid data.
Intracellular Reactive Oxygen Species Mediate the Therapeutic Effect of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells for Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Wang Shun , Tian Xiaoyu , Li Yijun , Xue Rong , Guan Haochen , Lu Meng , Xu Huijun , Ye Zhibin , Chen Sifeng , Xiang Meng
Published: March 2020

Aims. Treatment for acute kidney injury (AKI) is challenging. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have great therapeutic potential. This study sought to determine whether iPSCs attenuate AKI and the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Results. We intravenously injected isogenic iPSCs into mice 2 h after renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). The cells were selectively trafficked to ischemia/reperfusion-injured kidney where they decreased kidney ROS and inflammatory cytokines and improved kidney function and morphology. Pretreating the cells with ROS inhibitors before administration decreased iPSC engraftment and abolished the protective effect of iPSCs. In contrast, pretreating iPSCs with hydrogen peroxide increased iPSC engraftment and therapeutic effect. Although the intravenously administered iPSCs trafficked to the IRI kidney, the cells did not differentiate into proximal or distal tubular epithelial cells. In vitro, the capabilities of the iPSC-released substances to promote proliferation and decrease apoptosis of renal epithelial cells were increased by ROS pretreatment of iPSCs. Moreover, pretreatment of the iPSCs with ROS inhibitor had the opposite effect. Similarly, moderate concentrations of ROS increased while ROS inhibitors decreased iPSC mobility, adhesion to the extracellular matrix, and mitochondrial metabolism. Innovation and Conclusion. iPSCs decreased renal ischemia/reperfusion injury mainly through iPSC-released substances. The therapeutic effect, mitochondrial metabolism, mobility, and kidney trafficking of iPSCs were ROS dependent.
Ovarian Mixed Malignant Brenner-Mucinous Tumor with Signet Ring Cells
Authors: Khadang Baharak , Omeroglu Atilla
Published: March 2020

Mucinous carcinomas with signet ring cells in the ovary, particularly those composed predominantly of signet ring cells, are extremely rare, and in vast majority of cases, they represent metastasis from another site such as the stomach, appendix, pancreaticobiliary tract, bladder, and breast (Hristov et al., 2007, Kiyokawa et al., 2006, Vang et al., 2006, Young, 2006). Malignant Brenner tumor is also rare comprising less than 0.5% of ovarian carcinoma. Although mixed Brenner-Mucinous tumors are relatively common, the combination of a primary ovarian signet ring carcinoma with a malignant Brenner tumor is unique and to the best of our knowledge not previously reported in the literature.
Endoscopic Management of a Proximally Migrated Fully Covered SEMS Using the Stent-in-Stent Technique
Authors: Chang Arunchai , Prachayakul Varayu
Published: March 2020

Endoscopic biliary decompression via stent placement is an important approach for the palliative management of distal malignant biliary obstruction. However, migration of the inserted stent can occur, either distally or proximally; proximal migration is less common, but it also presents a greater challenge for endoscopic resolution. We present a case of a 67-year-old woman who had locally advanced pancreatic cancer and developed a common bile duct obstruction. Upon clinical presentation of chronic, painless, progressive jaundice, the obstruction was managed by placing of a 10 mm × 60 mm covered self-expandable metal stent (CSEMS), which successfully facilitated palliative biliary drainage. Six months later, however, the patient developed recurrent jaundice, which was determined to be due to proximal migration of the CSEMS. Repeat endoscopic retrograde cholangiography was performed, and initial attempts to retrieve the migrated stent failed. Finally, another 10 mm × 60 mm CSEMS was placed across the stricture site, inside the previous stent, which remained in place. The treatment resolved the obstruction and jaundice, and the patient experienced no adverse events.
Hybrid Analytical and Numerical Approach for Modeling Fluid Flow in Simplified Three-Dimensional Fracture Networks
Authors: Roubinet D. , Demirel S. , Voytek E. B. , Wang X. , Irving J.
Published: March 2020

Modeling fluid flow in three-dimensional fracture networks is required in a wide variety of applications related to fractured rocks. Numerical approaches developed for this purpose rely on either simplified representations of the physics of the considered problem using mesh-free methods at the fracture scale or complex meshing of the studied systems resulting in considerable computational costs. Here, we derive an alternative approach that does not rely on a full meshing of the fracture network yet maintains an accurate representation of the modeled physical processes. This is done by considering simplified fracture networks in which the fractures are represented as rectangles that are divided into rectangular subfractures such that the fracture intersections are defined on the borders of these subfractures. Two-dimensional analytical solutions for the Darcy-scale flow problem are utilized at the subfracture scale and coupled at the fracture-network scale through discretization nodes located on the subfracture borders. We investigate the impact of parameters related to the location and number of the discretization nodes on the results obtained, and we compare our results with those calculated using reference solutions, which are an analytical solution for simple configurations and a standard finite-element modeling approach for complex configurations. This work represents a first step towards the development of 3D hybrid analytical and numerical approaches where the impact of the surrounding matrix will be eventually considered.
Masson’s Tumor of the Hand: An Uncommon Histopathological Entity
Authors: Mardani Parviz , Askari Amir , Shahriarirad Reza , Ranjbar Keivan , Erfani Amirhossein , Anbardar Mohammad Hossein , Moradmand Shirin
Published: March 2020

Masson’s tumor or Masson’s hemangioma, more precisely termed intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia (IPEH), is an uncommon benign vascular lesion of the skin and subcutaneous tissues which can be frequently confused with angiosarcoma. Although relatively rare, its accurate diagnosis is essential since it can clinically be similar to both benign and malignant lesions. We present a 39-year-old man with a round bulging arising from the left palm side of the hand with gradual growth in the last 5 months and on and off tenderness. The microscopic section demonstrated the papillary proliferation of endothelial cells in favor of Masson’s hemangioma, which was sufficiently treated with excision alone.
Positive Solutions for a Class of Discrete Mixed Boundary Value Problems with thep,q-Laplacian Operator
Authors: Li Cuiping , Zhou Zhan
Published: March 2020

In this paper, we consider the existence of solutions for the discrete mixed boundary value problems involvingp,q-Laplacian operator. By using critical points theory, we obtain the existence of at least two positive solutions for the boundary value problem under appropriate assumptions on the nonlinearity.
Treatment of Cd2+ and Cu2+ Ions Using Modified Apatite Ore
Authors: Nguyen Phuong Thu , Nguyen Xuyen Thi , Nguyen Trang Van , Nguyen Thom Thi , Vu Thai Quoc , Nguyen Huy Trung , Pham Nam Thi , Thi Dinh Thanh Mai
Published: March 2020

Apatite ore from Lao Cai (Vietnam) has large reserves and low prices. Its main component is fluorapatite. The purification and modification of apatite ore can produce a material that can be used as an absorbent for heavy metals with high efficiency. The molecular structure, phase component, specific surface area, element component, and morphology of modified apatite ore from Lao Cai province, Vietnam, were characterized by IR, XRD, BET, EDX, and SEM methods. The IR and XRD results show that the modified process transformed apatite ore from fluorapatite to nanohydroxyapatite. The specific surface area of modified apatite ore (100.79 m2/g) is much higher than the original ore (3.97 m2/g). The modified apatite ore was used to adsorb Cd2+ and Cu2+ ions in water. The effect of adsorbent mass, pH, contact time, and initial concentration of Cd2+ and Cu2+ on the adsorption efficiency and capacity was investigated. Besides, the isotherm adsorption model was determined using Freundlich and Langmuir theories.
Study on Steady-State Responses of High-Speed Vehicle Using Infinite Long Track Model
Authors: Cai Wubin , Chi Maoru
Published: March 2020

The coupled vehicle/track dynamic model is formulated through integrating a high-speed rail vehicle model with a slab track model via the wheel/rail contact model. The sliding window method is improved using the least square criterion to simulate the vehicle travelling along the infinite long track. The steady-state responses of a high-speed vehicle induced by the discrete sleepers and slab segments are investigated through numerical simulation and analysis of the experimental results. Also the validity of the coupled vehicle/track model is examined through comparing the simulation results with those acquired from field test measurements. The experimental and numerical results show that the wheel/rail contact forces fluctuate considerably as long as the sleeper passing frequency approaches the frequency of P2 resonance (wheelset and rail bouncing in phase on the slab). Increasing the damping of rail pads and primary suspension can lower the steady-state response amplitudes at the resonance region. The oscillations in the wheel/rail normal forces arising from the discrete slab segment excitation can be reduced by increasing the support stiffness of the CAM (cement asphalt mortar) layer under the slab.
Prevalence and Predictors of Storage of Unused Medicines among Households in Northwestern Ethiopia
Authors: Yimenu Dawit Kumilachew , Teni Fitsum Sebsibe , Ebrahim Awol Jemal
Published: March 2020

Background. Unused medicines are those that are expired, discontinued, deteriorated, and/or not intended for any future use. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of unused medicines and predicting factors in households of Awi zone, Amhara regional state, Northwestern Ethiopia.Methods. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted. A survey of unused medicines was conducted through interviews with representatives of households. The collected data were entered with Epi Data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 21 for analysis. Predictors of storage of unused medicines were assessed through binary and multivariable logistic regression methods. A confidence interval of 95% and aP-value of <0.05 were considered to declare statistical significance.Results. Of the total of 507 households surveyed, 70 (13.8%) were found to have unused medicines. These constituted twenty-eight types of unused medicines. Anti-infective medicines were the most commonly unused medicines, 58.9%. People who pay for medicines by themselves, those who lacked knowledge about medicines, and those who did not receive enough counseling about medicines they took were found to be 2.6, 4.8, and 3 times more likely to have unused medicines, respectively.Conclusion. A significant amount of unused medicines was present in the community. Strategies aimed at educating the public regarding the safe disposal of unused medicines and an organized method of collection and disposal of unused medicines in the community need to be introduced.
Potential Role of Antioxidants as Adjunctive Therapy in Chagas Disease
Authors: Sánchez-Villamil Juana P. , Bautista-Niño Paula K. , Serrano Norma C. , Rincon Melvin Y. , Garg Nisha J.
Published: March 2020

Chagas disease (CD) is one of the most important neglected tropical diseases in the American continent. Host-derived nitroxidative stress in response to Trypanosoma cruzi infection can induce tissue damage contributing to the progression of Chagas disease. Antioxidant supplementation has been suggested as adjuvant therapy to current treatment. In this article, we synthesize and discuss the current evidence regarding the use of antioxidants as adjunctive compounds to fight harmful reactive oxygen species and lower the tissue oxidative damage during progression of chronic Chagas disease. Several antioxidants evaluated in recent studies have shown potential benefits for the control of oxidative stress in the host’s tissues. Melatonin, resveratrol, the combination of vitamin C/vitamin E (vitC/vitE) or curcumin/benznidazole, and mitochondria-targeted antioxidants seem to be beneficial in reducing plasma and cardiac levels of lipid peroxidation products. Nevertheless, further research is needed to validate beneficial effects of antioxidant therapies in Chagas disease.
Update on the Management of Parkinson’s Disease for General Neurologists
Authors: Pirtošek Zvezdan , Bajenaru Ovidiu , Kovács Norbert , Milanov Ivan , Relja Maja , Skorvanek Matej
Published: March 2020

Management of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is complicated due to its progressive nature, the individual patient heterogeneity, and the wide range of signs, symptoms, and daily activities that are increasingly affected over its course. The last 10–15 years have seen great progress in the identification, evaluation, and management of PD, particularly in the advanced stages. Highly specialized information can be found in the scientific literature, but updates do not always reach general neurologists in a practical and useful way, potentially creating gaps in knowledge of PD between them and neurologists subspecialized in movement disorders, resulting in several unmet patient needs. However, general neurologists remain instrumental in diagnosis and routine management of PD. This review provides updated practical information to identify problems and resolve common issues, particularly when the advanced stage is suspected. Some tips are provided for efficient communication with the members of a healthcare team specialized in movement disorders, in order to find support at any stage of the disease in a given patient, and especially for a well-timed decision on referral.
A Digital Health Weight Loss Program in 250,000 Individuals
Authors: Senecal Conor , Widmer Robert Jay , Larrabee Beth R. , de Andrade Mariza , Lerman Lilach O. , Lerman Amir , Lopez-Jimenez Francisco
Published: March 2020

Importance. Obesity is a worsening epidemic worldwide. Effective and accessible weight loss programs to combat obesity on a large scale are warranted, but a need for frequent face-to-face care might impose a limitation. Objective. To evaluate whether individuals following a weight loss program based on a mobile application, wireless scale, and nutritional program but no face-to-face care can achieve clinically significant weight loss in a large cohort. Design. Retrospective observational analysis. Setting. China from October 2016 to December 2017. Participants. Mobile application users with a minimum of 2 weights (baseline and ≥35 days). Intervention. A commercial (Weijian Technologies) weight loss program consisting of a dietary replacement, self-monitoring using a wireless home scale, and frequent guidance via mobile application. Main Outcome. Mean weight change around 42, 60, 90, and 120 days after program initiation with subgroup analysis by gender, age, and frequency of use. Results. 251,718 individuals, with a mean age of 37.3 years (SD: 9.86) (79% female), were included with a mean weight loss of 4.3 kg (CI: ±0.02) and a mean follow-up of 120 days (SD: 76.8 days). Mean weight loss at 42, 60, 90, and 120 d was 4.1 kg (CI: ±0.02), 4.9 kg (CI: ±0.02), 5.6 kg (CI: ±0.03), and 5.4 kg (CI: ±0.04), respectively. At 120 d, 62.7% of participants had lost at least 5% of their initial weight. Both genders and all usage frequency tertiles showed statistically significant weight loss from baseline at each interval (P<0.001), and this loss was greater in men than in women (120 d: 6.5 vs. 5.2 kg; P<0.001). The frequency of recording (categorized as high-, medium-, or low-frequency users) was associated with greater weight loss when comparing high, medium, and low tertile use groups at all time intervals investigated (e.g., 120 d: −8.6, −5.6, and −2.2 kg, respectively; P<0.001). Conclusions. People following a commercially available hybrid weight loss program using a mobile application, wireless scale, and nutritional program without face-to-face interaction on average achieved clinically significant short- and midterm weight loss. These results support the implementation of comparable technologies for weight control in a large population.
Alkyl Thiourea Functionalised Silica for the Effective Removal of Heavy Metals from Acanthopanax senticosus Extract
Authors: Guo Hong-Li , Zhang Shuo , North Christopher , Zhang Min , Meng Xiao-xia , Gao Xiu-Li
Published: March 2020

Acanthopanax senticosus extract with excessive standard of Pb, Cd, Hg, and Cu was used as the research object, and the alkyl thiourea functionalised silica was used as a new heavy metal removal scavenger. The heavy metal removal process was optimised by orthogonal experiment with dynamic and static adsorption modes. Meanwhile, the content of Acanthopanax B and Acanthopanax E, the solid content, and the HPLC fingerprint similarity were used as quality monitoring indicators of Acanthopanax senticosus heavy metal removal before and after. Then, the technical adaptability of heavy metal removal by alkyl thiourea functionalised silica was evaluated. Under the optimal dynamic adsorption conditions, the average removal rates of Pb, Cd, Hg, and Cu were 91.64%, 93.04%, 81.77%, and 83.11%, respectively. Under the optimal static adsorption conditions, the average removal rates of Pb, Cd, Hg, and Cu were 82.22%, 89.95%, 81.26%, and 82.97%, respectively. During Acanthopanax senticosus extract heavy metal removal before and after, the change percentage of Acanthopanax B and Acanthopanax E was less than 2.00%, the solid content loss rate was only 0.18%, and the fingerprint similarity was over 99.9%. The method can be used to satisfy the high efficiency of selective removal of harmful elements in Acanthopanax senticosus extract and the effective composition of almost no effect; the method is simple and easy, so it can be recommended for pretreatment of heavy metals in Traditional Chinese Medicine extracts, and this way provides a new thought and research technique to decrease the contents of heavy metals.
CircFOXK2 Promotes Growth and Metastasis of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma by Complexing with RNA-Binding Proteins and Sponging MiR-942
Authors: Wong Chi Hin , Lou Ut Kei , Li Youjia , Chan Stephen L. , Tong Joanna HM , To Ka-Fai , Chen Yangchao
Published: March 2020

The detailed biological functions of circular RNA (circRNA) are largely unexplored. Using circRNA sequencing, we identified 169 differentially expressed circRNA in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells compared with nontumor human pancreatic ductal epithelial cells. Among them, circFOXK2 was validated with significant upregulation in PDAC cells and 63% of primary tumors (53 of 84). circFOXK2 promoted cell growth, migration, and invasion and was involved in cell-cycle progression and apoptosis. circFOXK2 contained multiple miRNA binding sites, functioning as a sponge for miR-942, which in turn promoted expression of ANK1, GDNF, and PAX6. A novel and highly specific circRNA-pulldown followed by mass spectrometry analysis identified 94 circFOXK2-interacting proteins, which were involved in cell adhesion, mRNA splicing, and structural molecule activity. Of these, circFOKX2 interactions with YBX1 and hnRNPK enhanced expression of oncogenes NUF2 and PDXK. Knockdown of circFOXK2 reduced binding of YBX1 and hnRNPK to NUF2 and PDXK, in turn decreasing their expression. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that circFOXK2 in complex with YBX1 and hnRNPK promotes expression of oncogenic proteins that contribute to PDAC progression.

Significance:

This study reveals a prominent role for the circRNA circFOXK2 in PDAC progression, suggesting that circFOXK2 might be a novel diagnostic marker for PDAC.