bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Revision of a canine Zürich cementless total hip replacement using a ‘Cupless’ system
Authors: Olsen Ronald S , Lanz Otto I
Published: June 2020

A 6‐year‐old spayed female pit bull mix developed lameness secondary to aseptic loosening of the acetabular component from a total hip replacement (THR) performed at 1 year of age with the standard Zürich cementless THR (Z‐THR) system. It was treated by removing the acetabular component and replacing the standard femoral head prosthesis with the larger ‘Cupless’ femoral head. The acetabulum was reamed to accommodate it. The new prosthesis articulated directly with the reamed bone. One year later, the patient had no perceptible lameness and stable implants. Subsequent follow‐up found appropriate ambulation and a high degree of owner satisfaction. The Zürich ‘Cupless’ hip replacement system aims to reduce some of the challenges associated with traditional THR. Though functional outcomes have not been scientifically compared with traditional THR, this case suggests it could be considered as an alternative to traditional THR procedures or for revision in cases with aseptic cup loosening.
Improved understanding and prediction of freshwater fish communities through the use of joint species distribution models
Authors: Wagner Tyler , Hansen Gretchen J.A. , Schliep Erin M. , Bethke Bethany J. , Honsey Andrew E. , Jacobson Peter C. , Kline Benjamen C. , White Shannon L.
Published: June 2020

Two primary goals in fisheries research are to (i) understand how habitat and environmental conditions influence the distribution of fishes across the landscape and (ii) make predictions about how fish communities will respond to environmental and anthropogenic change. In inland, freshwater ecosystems, quantitative approaches traditionally used to accomplish these goals largely ignore the effects of species interactions (competition, predation, mutualism) on shaping community structure, potentially leading to erroneous conclusions regarding habitat associations and unrealistic predictions about species distributions. Using two contrasting case studies, we highlight how joint species distribution models (JSDMs) can address the aforementioned deficiencies by simultaneously quantifying the effects of abiotic habitat variables and species dependencies. In particular, we show that conditional predictions of species occurrence from JSDMs can better predict species presence or absence compared with predictions that ignore species dependencies. JSDMs also allow for the estimation of site-specific probabilities of species co-occurrence, which can be informative for generating hypotheses about species interactions. JSDMs provide a flexible framework that can be used to address a variety of questions in fisheries science and management.
A Born–Infeld scalar and a dynamical violation of the scale invariance from the modified measure action
Authors: Vulfs T. O. , Guendelman E. I.
Published: June 2020

Starting with a simple two-scalar field system coupled to a modified measure that is independent of the metric, we, first, find a Born–Infeld dynamics sector of the theory for a scalar field and second, show that the initial scale invariance of the action is dynamically broken and leads to a scale charge nonconservation, although there is still a conserved dilatation current.
Superconducting optical response of photodoped Mott insulators
Authors: Li J. , Golez D. , Werner P. , Eckstein M.
Published: June 2020

Ultrafast laser pulses can redistribute charges in Mott insulators on extremely short time scales, leading to the fast generation of photocarriers. It has recently been demonstrated that these photocarriers can form a novel [Formula: see text]-paired condensate at low temperatures, featuring a staggered superconducting pairing field. In this conference paper, we discuss the origin of the [Formula: see text]-paired hidden phase and its optical response, which may be detected in a pump-probe experiment. The hidden phase may be relevant for possible light-induced superconductivity in Mott insulators.
Global existence of weak solutions to the incompressible Vlasov–Navier–Stokes system coupled to convection–diffusion equations
Authors: Boudin Laurent , Michel David , Moussa Ayman
Published: June 2020

We study the existence of global weak solutions in a three-dimensional time-dependent bounded domain for the incompressible Vlasov–Navier–Stokes system which is coupled with two convection–diffusion equations describing the air temperature and its water vapor mass fraction. This newly introduced model describes respiratory aerosols in the human aiways when one takes into account the hygroscopic effects, also inducing the presence of extra variables in the aerosol distribution function, temperature and size. The mathematical description of these phenomena leads us to make the assumption that the initial distribution of particles does not contain arbitrarily small particles. The proof is based on a regularization and approximation strategy that we solve by deriving several energy estimates, including ones with temperature and size.
Polynomial preserving virtual elements with curved edges
Authors: Beirão da Veiga L. , Brezzi F. , Marini L. D. , Russo A.
Published: June 2020

In this paper, we tackle the problem of constructing conforming Virtual Element spaces on polygons with curved edges. Unlike previous VEM approaches for curvilinear elements, the present construction ensures that the local VEM spaces contain all the polynomials of a given degree, thus providing the full satisfaction of the patch test. Moreover, unlike standard isoparametric FEM, this approach allows to deal with curved edges at an intermediate scale, between the small scale (treatable by homogenization) and the bigger one (where a finer mesh would make the curve flatter and flatter). The proposed method is supported by theoretical analysis and numerical tests.
Integral quadratic forms avoiding arithmetic progressions
Authors: Earnest A. G. , Kim Ji Young
Published: June 2020

For every positive integer [Formula: see text], it is shown that there exists a positive definite diagonal quaternary integral quadratic form that represents all positive integers except for precisely those which lie in [Formula: see text] arithmetic progressions. For [Formula: see text], all forms with this property are determined.
D
y
VED
eep
Authors: Ganapathy Sanjay , Venkataramani Swagath , Sriraman Giridhur , Ravindran Balaraman , Raghunathan Anand
Published: June 2020

Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) have advanced the state-of-the-art in a variety of machine learning tasks and are deployed in increasing numbers of products and services. However, the computational requirements of training and evaluating large-scale DNNs are growing at a much faster pace than the capabilities of the underlying hardware platforms that they are executed upon. To address this challenge, one promising approach is to exploit the error resilient nature of DNNs by skipping or approximating computations that have negligible impact on classification accuracy. Almost all prior efforts in this direction propose static DNN approximations by either pruning network connections, implementing computations at lower precision, or compressing weights.

In this work, we propose Dynamic Variable Effort Deep Neural Networks (D
y
VED
eep
) to reduce the computational requirements of DNNs during inference. Complementary to the aforementioned static approaches, DyVEDeep is a dynamic approach that exploits heterogeneity in the DNN inputs to improve their compute efficiency with comparable classification accuracy and without requiring any re-training. D
y
VED
eep
equips DNNs with dynamic effort mechanisms that identify computations critical to classifying a given input and focus computational effort only on the critical computations, while skipping or approximating the rest. We propose three dynamic effort mechanisms that operate at different levels of granularity viz. neuron, feature, and layer levels. We build D
y
VED
eep
versions of six popular image recognition benchmarks (CIFAR-10, AlexNet, OverFeat, VGG-16, SqueezeNet, and Deep-Compressed-AlexNet) within the Caffe deep-learning framework. We evaluate D
y
VED
eep
on two platforms—a high-performance server with a 2.7 GHz Intel Xeon E5-2680 processor and 128 GB memory, and a low-power Raspberry Pi board with an ARM Cortex A53 processor and 1 GB memory. Across all benchmarks, D
y
VED
eep
achieves 2.47×--5.15× reduction in the number of scalar operations, which translates to 1.94×--2.23× and 1.46×--3.46× performance improvement over well-optimized baselines on the Xeon server and the Raspberry Pi, respectively, with comparable classification accuracy.
Deep Learning for Source Code Modeling and Generation
Authors: Le Triet H. M. , Chen Hao , Babar Muhammad Ali
Published: June 2020

Deep Learning (DL) techniques for Natural Language Processing have been evolving remarkably fast. Recently, the DL advances in language modeling, machine translation, and paragraph understanding are so prominent that the potential of DL in Software Engineering cannot be overlooked, especially in the field of program learning. To facilitate further research and applications of DL in this field, we provide a comprehensive review to categorize and investigate existing DL methods for source code modeling and generation. To address the limitations of the traditional source code models, we formulate common program learning tasks under an encoder-decoder framework. After that, we introduce recent DL mechanisms suitable to solve such problems. Then, we present the state-of-the-art practices and discuss their challenges with some recommendations for practitioners and researchers as well.
APL since 1978
Authors: Hui Roger K. W. , Kromberg Morten J.
Published: June 2020

The Evolution of APL
, the HOPL I paper by Falkoff and Iverson on APL, recounted the fundamental design principles which shaped the implementation of the APL language in 1966, and the early uses and other influences which shaped its first decade of enhancements.

In the 40 years that have elapsed since HOPL I, several dozen APL implementations have come and gone. In the first decade or two, interpreters were typically born and buried along with the hardware or operating system that they were created for. More recently, the use of C as an implementation language provided APL interpreters with greater longevity and portability.

APL started its life on IBM mainframes which were time-shared by multiple users. As the demand for computing resources grew and costs dropped, APL first moved
in-house
to mainframes, then to
mini
- and
micro
-computers. Today, APL runs on PCs and tablets, Apples and Raspberry Pis, smartphones and watches.

The operating systems, and the software application platforms that APL runs on, have evolved beyond recognition. Tools like database systems have taken over many of the tasks that were initially implemented in APL or provided by the APL system, and new capabilities like parallel hardware have also changed the focus of design and implementation efforts through the years.

The first wave of significant language enhancements occurred shortly after HOPL I, resulting in so-called second-generation APL systems. The most important feature of the second generation is the addition of general arrays—in which any item of an array can be another array—and a number of new functions and operators aligned with, if not always motivated by, the new data structures.

The majority of implementations followed IBM’s path with APL2 “floating” arrays; others aligned themselves with SHARP APL and “grounded” arrays. While the APL2 style of APL interpreters came to dominate the mainstream of the APL community, two new cousins of APL descended from the SHARP APL family tree: J (created by Iverson and Hui) and k (created by Arthur Whitney).

We attempt to follow a reasonable number of threads through the last 40 years, to identify the most important factors that have shaped the evolution of APL. We will discuss the details of what we believe are the most significant language features that made it through the occasionally unnatural selection imposed by the loss of habitats that disappeared with hardware, software platforms, and business models.

The history of APL now spans six decades. It is still the case, as Falkoff and Iverson remarked at the end of the HOPL I paper, that:

Although this is not the place to discuss the future, it should be remarked that the evolution of APL is far from finished.
Functional Molecular Interfaces for Impedance-Based Diagnostics
Authors: Kanyong Prosper , Patil Amol V. , Davis Jason J.
Published: June 2020

In seeking to develop and optimize reagentless electroanalytical assays, a consideration of the transducing interface features lies key to any subsequent sensitivity and selectivity. This review briefly summarizes some of the most commonly used receptive interfaces that have been employed within the development of impedimetric molecular sensors. We discuss the use of high surface area carbon, nanoparticles, and a range of bioreceptors that can subsequently be integrated. The review spans the most commonly utilized biorecognition elements, such as antibodies, antibody fragments, aptamers, and nucleic acids, and touches on some novel emerging alternatives such as nanofragments, molecularly imprinted polymers, and bacteriophages. Reference is made to the immobilization chemistries available along with a consideration of both optimal packing density and recognition probe orientation. We also discuss assay-relevant mechanistic details and applications in real sample analysis.
Heterogeneous UV/Fenton-Like Degradation of Methyl Orange Using Iron Terephthalate MIL-53 Catalyst
Authors: Dinh Du Pham , Thanh Danh Huynh , Ngoc Hoai Pham , Thanh Nguyen Mau , Thang Nguyen Vo , Quang Khieu Dinh
Published: June 2020

The synthesis and degradation of methyl orange (MO) in an ultraviolet-assisted heterogeneous Fenton-like process via the iron terephthalate (MIL-53) catalyst are demonstrated. MIL-53 material was characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DR-UV-Vis), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms. It was found that the obtained material shares an identical pattern of the MIL-53 structure with high crystallinity and also demonstrates the mesoporous phase with a pore diameter of around 4.2 nm and specific surface area, SBET, of 88.2 m2·g−1. MIL-53 with UV irradiation exhibits high catalytic activity for MO degradation by hydrogen peroxide. The factors affecting the efficiency of MO decomposition including pH of the solution, H2O2 concentration, catalyst dosage, initial MO concentration, and reaction temperature were addressed. The present catalyst is stable after four recycles with slight catalytic activity loss which makes it a potential candidate for environmental restoration.
Electroacupuncture Improves IBS Visceral Hypersensitivity by Inhibiting the Activation of Astrocytes in the Medial Thalamus and Anterior Cingulate Cortex
Authors: Zhao Min , Wang Zhaoqin , Weng Zhijun , Zhang Fang , Li Guona , Ma Zhe , Wu Huangan , Xin Yuhu , Liu Huirong , Zhao Jimeng
Published: June 2020

Objective. To explore whether the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on visceral hypersensitivity (VH) in rats with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is related to the changes of astrocyte activation in the medial thalamus (MT) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Method. Male Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomly divided into the normal control (NC) group, model control (MC) group, electroacupuncture (EA) group, and fluorocitrate (FCA) group. A model of visceral hypersensitivity was established by neonatal colorectal irritation. In the EA group, needles were inserted into the skin at the Tianshu (ST25) and Shangjuxu (ST37) acupoints, once a day for 7 days. The FCA group received intrathecal injection of FCA on the 1st, 4th, and 7th days. Visceral hypersensitivity was evaluated by the abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) mRNA and protein levels in the MT and ACC were detected by real‐time PCR, immunohistochemistry, and western blots. Results. The AWR score in the MC group was significantly higher than in the NC group, and EA and FCA reduced the AWR score of VH rats. GFAP mRNA and protein levels in the MT and ACC of rats in the MC group were significantly increased compared with the NC group. After either electroacupuncture or fluorocitrate, GFAP mRNA and protein levels in the MT and ACC were both clearly reduced. Conclusion. Electroacupuncture alleviates IBS visceral hypersensitivity by inhibiting the activation of astrocytes in the MT and ACC.
Evaluation of Left Main Coronary Artery Using Optical Frequency Domain Imaging and Its Pitfalls
Authors: Roule Vincent , Rebouh Idir , Lemaitre Adrien , Bignon Mathieu , Ardouin Pierre , Sabatier Rémi , Labombarda Fabien , Blanchart Katrien , Beygui Farzin
Published: June 2020

Objectives. We aimed to assess the quality of optical frequency domain imaging (OFDI) of the left main (LM) arterial wall and describe and analyse potential artefacts in this setting. Background. OFDI is increasingly used to assess ambiguous lesions and optimize LM percutaneous coronary intervention. However, its ability to provide artefact-free high-quality images of coronary ostia and large segments such as the LM remains uncertain. Methods. We included 42 consecutive patients who underwent OFDI, including LM imaging. Each OFDI frame was subdivided into four quadrants and analysed. The number of quadrants with artifacts was calculated within the proximal, mid, and distal LM and the first 5 mm of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and/or left circumflex artery (LCX). Results. The quadrants analysis showed an overall artifact rate of 8.9%, mostly out-of-field (45.1%) or residual blood (44.7%) artefacts. Most artifacts were located in the proximal LM (18.6%) with a stepwise reduction of artifact rates towards distal segments (mid LM 5.8%; distal LM 3.6%, ostial LAD 2.6%, and ostial LCX 0%; p<0.001). While 20 (48.8%) patients had angiographically visible plaques, OFDI showed plaques in 32 patients (76.2%; p=0.007). Conclusion. OFDI can accurately evaluate the LM and detect and assess angiographically unvisualized atherosclerotic plaques providing accurate assessment of >90% of the quadrants of the LM and the ostia of its bifurcation branches. However, artifacts mainly located in the proximal LM and decreasing distally in a stepwise fashion should be considered in the interpretation of OFDI in this setting.
The Human Microbiome and Its Impacts on Health
Authors: Ogunrinola Grace A. , Oyewale John O. , Oshamika Oyewumi O. , Olasehinde Grace I.
Published: June 2020

The human microbiome comprises bacteria, archaea, viruses, and eukaryotes which reside within and outside our bodies. These organisms impact human physiology, both in health and in disease, contributing to the enhancement or impairment of metabolic and immune functions. Micro-organisms colonise various sites on and in the human body, where they adapt to specific features of each niche. Facultative anaerobes are more dominant in the gastrointestinal tract, whereas strict aerobes inhabit the respiratory tract, nasal cavity, and skin surface. The indigenous organisms in the human body are well adapted to the immune system, due to the biological interaction of the organisms with the immune system over time. An alteration in the intestinal microbial community plays a major role in human health and disease pathogenesis. These alterations result from lifestyle and the presence of an underlying disease. Dysbiosis increases host susceptibility to infection, and the nature of which depends on the anatomical site involved. The unique diversity of the human microbiota accounts for the specific metabolic activities and functions of these micro-organisms within each body site. It is therefore important to understand the microbial composition and activities of the human microbiome as they contribute to health and disease.
User-Edge Collaborative Resource Allocation and Offloading Strategy in Edge Computing
Authors: Qin Zhenquan , Qiu Xueyan , Ye Jin , Wang Lei
Published: June 2020

The foundation of urban computing and smart technology is edge computing. Edge computing provides a new solution for large-scale computing and saves more energy while bringing a small amount of latency compared to local computing on mobile devices. To investigate the relationship between the cost of computing tasks and the consumption of time and energy, we propose a computation offloading scheme that achieves lower execution costs by cooperatively allocating computing resources by mobile devices and the edge server. For the mixed-integer nonlinear optimization problem of computing resource allocation and offloading strategy, we segment the problem and propose an iterative optimization algorithm to find the approximate optimal solution. The numerical results of the simulation experiment show that the algorithm can obtain a lower total cost than the baseline algorithm in most cases.
Inhibition of the CDK4/6‐Cyclin D‐Rb Pathway by Ribociclib Augments Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy in Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Chen Dehong , Sun Xiaosong , Zhang Xuejun , Cao Jun
Published: June 2020

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most aggressive type of genitourinary cancer and is resistant to current therapies. Identifying drugs that enhance the efficacy of RCC standard‐of‐care drugs at sublethal concentrations is an alternative therapeutic strategy. Ribociclib is an orally available cyclin‐dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) inhibitor that is approved for the treatment of breast cancer. In this work, we demonstrate that ribociclib at clinically achievable concentrations inhibits proliferation of 7 out of 9 tested RCC cell lines, with IC50 range from 76 to 280 nM. In addition, ribociclib induces apoptosis of RCC cells, but with less potency compared to its antiproliferative activity. The combination of ribociclib with chemotherapeutic or immunotherapeutic agents is synergistic in RCC cell lines. Of note, ribociclib demonstrates selective anti‐RCC activity by sparing normal kidney cells and fibroblast cells. Consistent with the in vitro findings, ribociclib inhibits RCC growth at the dosage that does not lead to toxicity in mice and enhances the in vivo efficacy of RCC standard‐of‐care drugs. Mechanistically, we show that ribociclib remarkably inhibits phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein (Rb) at various sites, leading to the suppression of transcription of E2F target genes in RCC cells. Our findings clearly demonstrate the potency and selectivity of ribociclib in RCC preclinical models, via inhibition of the CDK4/6‐cyclin D/Rb pathway. Our findings support a clinical trial for the combination of ribociclib with chemo/immunotherapy in RCC.
Myeloid Cells in Circulation and Tumor Microenvironment of Colorectal Cancer Patients with Early and Advanced Disease Stages
Authors: Toor Salman M. , Khalaf Sarah , Murshed Khaled , Abu Nada Mohamed , Elkord Eyad
Published: June 2020

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogenous population of cells that have been implicated in the development of an immunosuppressive environment, which promotes tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Numerous studies have reported expansion of MDSCs in circulation and the tumor microenvironment (TME) of cancer patients. However, due to the heterogenic nature of MDSCs and the different approaches for their identification, their detailed characterization and impact on disease progression in cancer patients are warranted. In this study, we investigated the levels of different myeloid cell subsets and antigen-presenting cells (APCs) using flow cytometry in unfractionated whole blood (WB), peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), tumor tissue (TT), and adjacent normal tissue (NT) of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. We found high levels of granulocytic myeloid cells (GMCs) in whole blood, but their levels were significantly lower in PBMCs. Importantly, we found significantly higher levels of GMCs in the TME compared to NT. In addition, monocytic myeloid cells (MMCs) showed significantly higher levels in PBMCs of CRC patients, compared to healthy donors (HDs). Notably, patients with advanced disease stages showed significantly higher levels of GMCs compared to early stages in whole blood, but PBMCs and tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells did not show any significant differences. Lastly, we found that levels of GMCs decreased, while IMCs increased in the TME with tumor budding. Our results highlight the importance of investigating the levels of different myeloid cell subsets in PBMCs versus whole blood of cancer patients and improve current knowledge on the potential prognostic significance of myeloid cells in CRC patients.
Engineering the Human Fc Region Enables Direct Cell Killing by Cancer Glycan–Targeting Antibodies without the Need for Immune Effector Cells or Complement
Authors: Vankemmelbeke Mireille , McIntosh Richard S. , Chua Jia Xin , Kirk Thomas , Daniels Ian , Patsalidou Marilena , Moss Robert , Parsons Tina , Scott David , Harris Gemma , Ramage Judith M. , Spendlove Ian , Durrant Lindy G.
Published: June 2020

Murine IgG3 glycan-targeting mAb often induces direct cell killing in the absence of immune effector cells or complement via a proinflammatory mechanism resembling oncotic necrosis. This cancer cell killing is due to noncovalent association between Fc regions of neighboring antibodies, resulting in enhanced avidity. Human isotypes do not contain the residues underlying this cooperative binding mode; consequently, the direct cell killing of mouse IgG3 mAb is lost upon chimerization or humanization. Using the Lewisa/c/x -targeting 88mAb, we identified the murine IgG3 residues underlying the direct cell killing and increased avidity via a series of constant region shuffling and subdomain swapping approaches to create improved (“i”) chimeric mAb with enhanced tumor killing in vitro and in vivo. Constant region shuffling identified a major CH3 and a minor CH2 contribution, which was further mapped to discontinuous regions among residues 286–306 and 339–378 that, when introduced in 88hIgG1, recapitulated the direct cell killing and avidity of 88mIgG3. Of greater interest was the creation of a sialyl-di-Lewisa–targeting i129G1 mAb via introduction of these selected residues into 129hIgG1, converting it into a direct cell killing mAb with enhanced avidity and significant in vivo tumor control. The human iG1 mAb, termed Avidimabs, retained effector functions, paving the way for the proinflammatory direct cell killing to promote antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and complement-dependent cytotoxicity through relief of immunosuppression. Ultimately, Fc engineering of human glycan-targeting IgG1 mAb confers proinflammatory direct cell killing and enhanced avidity, an approach that could be used to improve the avidity of other mAb with therapeutic potential.

Significance:

Fc engineering enhances avidity and direct cell killing of cancer-targeting anti-glycan antibodies to create superior clinical candidates for cancer immunotherapy.
UGT2B10 Genotype Influences Serum Cotinine Levels and Is a Primary Determinant of Higher Cotinine in African American Smokers
Authors: Sipe Christopher J. , Koopmeiners Joseph S. , Donny Eric C. , Hatsukami Dorothy K. , Murphy Sharon E.
Published: June 2020

Background:

Cotinine is the most widely used biomarker of tobacco exposure. At similar smoking levels, African Americans have higher serum cotinine than Whites. UGT2B10-catalyzed cotinine glucuronidation impacts these levels, and African Americans often have low UGT2B10 activity due to a high prevalence of a UGT2B10 splice variant (rs2942857).

Methods:

Two UGT2B10 SNPs (rs6175900 and rs2942857) were genotyped in 289 African Americans and 627 White smokers. Each smoker was assigned a genetic score of 0, 1, or 2 based on the number of variant alleles. Total nicotine equivalents (TNE), the sum of nicotine and six metabolites, and serum cotinine and 3′-hydroxycotinine were quantified. The contribution of UGT2B10 genetic score to cotinine concentration was determined.

Results:

Serum cotinine was significantly higher in smokers with UGT2B10 genetic scores of 2 versus 0 (327 ng/mL vs. 221 ng/mL; P < 0.001); TNEs were not different. In a linear regression model adjusted for age, gender, cigarettes per day, TNE, race, and CYP2A6 activity, geometric mean cotinine increased 43% between genetic score 2 versus 0 (P < 0.001). A 0.1 increase in the CYP2A6 activity ratio, 3′-hydroxycotinine/cotinine, resulted in a 6% decrease in cotinine. After adjustment for UGT2B10 genotype and the other covariants, there was no significant difference in serum cotinine by race.

Conclusions:

UGT2B10 genotype is a major contributor to cotinine levels and explains the majority of high serum cotinine in African American smokers.

Impact:

Cotinine levels in smokers may greatly overestimate tobacco exposure and potentially misinform our understanding of ethnic/racial difference in tobacco-related disease if UGT2B10 genotype is not taken into account.
Patterns of Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acid Dietary Intake and Melanoma Thickness at Diagnosis
Authors: Mahamat-Saleh Yahya , Hughes Maria Celia B. , Miura Kyoko , Malt Maryrose K. , von Schuckmann Lena , Khosrotehrani Kiarash , Smithers B. Mark , Green Adèle C.
Published: June 2020

Background:

Experimental evidence suggests that dietary intakes of omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids have divergent effects on melanoma growth, but epidemiologic evidence on their combined effect is lacking.

Methods:

In 634 Australian patients with primary melanoma, we assessed prediagnosis consumption of 39 food groups by food frequency questionnaires completed within 2 months of diagnosis. We derived, by reduced rank regression, dietary patterns that explained variability in selected omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid intakes. Prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between tertiles of dietary patterns and melanoma thickness >2 mm versus ≤2 mm were estimated using Poisson regression.

Results:

Overall omega-3 fatty acid intakes were low. Two major fatty acid dietary patterns were identified: “meat, fish, and fat,” positively correlated with intakes of all fatty acids; and “fish, low-meat, and low-fat,” positively correlated with long-chain omega-3 fatty acid intake, and inversely with medium-chain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid intakes. Prevalence of thick melanomas was significantly higher in those in the highest compared with lowest tertile of the “meat, fish, and fat” pattern (PR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.01–1.94), especially those with serious comorbidity (PR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.15–2.92) or a family history (PR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.00–5.35). The “fish, low-meat, and low-fat” pattern was not associated with melanoma thickness.

Conclusions:

People with high meat, fish, and fat intakes, who thus consumed relatively high levels of omega-3 and high omega-6 fatty acid intakes, are more likely to be diagnosed with thick than thin melanomas.

Impact:

High omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid intakes may contribute to patients' presentation with thick melanomas.
Solid Organ Transplantation in Amyloidosis
Authors: Theodorakakou Foteini , Fotiou Despina , Dimopoulos Meletios A. , Kastritis Efstathios
Published: June 2020

Amyloidosis comprises a diverse group of diseases characterized by misfolding of precursor proteins which eventually form amyloid aggregates and preceding intermediaries, which are deposited in target tissues causing progressive organ damage. In all forms of amyloidosis, vital organs may fail; depending on the specific amyloidosis type, this may occur rapidly or progress slowly. Beyond therapies to reduce the precursor protein (chemotherapy for light chain [AL] amyloidosis, anti-inflammatory therapy in serum A amyloid­osis [AA], and antisense RNA therapy in transthyretin amyloidosis [ATTR]), organ transplantation may also be a means to reduce amyloidogenic protein, e.g., in types of amyloid­osis in which the variant precursor is produced by the liver. Heart transplantation is a life-saving approach to the treatment of patients with advanced cardiac amyloidosis; however, amyloidosis may still be considered a contraindication to the procedure despite data supporting improved outcomes, similar to patients with other indications. Kidney transplantation is associated with particularly favorable outcomes in patients with amyloidosis, especially if the precursor protein has been eliminated. Overall, outcomes of solid organ transplantation are improving, but more data are needed to refine the selection criteria and the timing for organ transplantation, which should be performed in highly experienced centers involving multidisciplinary teams with close patient follow-up to detect amyloid recurrence.
Coffin-Siris Syndrome 4-Related Spectrum in a Young Woman Caused by a Heterozygous SMARCA4 Deletion Detected by High-Resolution aCGH
Authors: Mitrakos Anastasios , Lazaros Leandros , Pantou Amelia , Mavrou Ariadni , Kanavakis Emmanuel , Tzetis Maria
Published: June 2020

Coffin-Siris Syndrome 4 is an autosomal dominant congenital malformation syndrome caused by heterozygous mutations in the SMARCA4 gene with its main features being intellectual disability, developmental delay, behavioral abnormalities, and hypoplastic or absent fifth fingernails and fifth distal phalanges. Here, we report a young woman with developmental delay, moderate intellectual disability, and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, referred for genetic testing. High-resolution chromosomal microarray analysis identified a 428-kb deletion in chromosome 19 which included the SMARCA4 gene. We conclude that haploinsufficiency of SMARCA4 may be a valid pathophysiological mechanism leading to milder Coffin-Siris syndrome phenotypes.
A Novel de novo Frameshift Mutation in the BCL11A Gene in a Patient with Intellectual Disability Syndrome and Epilepsy
Authors: Korenke Georg Christoph , Schulte Björn , Biskup Saskia , Neidhardt John , Owczarek-Lipska Marta
Published: June 2020

Intellectual disability syndrome (IDS) associated with a hereditary persistence of fetal haemoglobin (HbF), also known as Dias-Logan syndrome, is commonly characterised by psychomotor developmental delay, intelectual disability, language delay, strabismus, thin upper lip, abnormalities of external ears, microcephaly, downslanting palpebral fissures. Sporadically, autism spectrum disorders and blue sclerae in infancy have been reported in IDS. Rarely, IDS-affected patients present with epilepsy and/or epileptic syndromes. It has been shown that a haploinsufficiency of the B cell leukaemia/lymphoma 11A gene (BCL11A) is responsible for IDS. Herein, we identified a novel de novo frameshift deletion (c.271delG; p.E91Afs*2) in the BCL11A gene in a boy affected with IDS. Interestingly, this heterozygous loss-of-function BCL11A mutation was also associated with a generalised idiopathic epilepsy and severe language delay observed in the patient. Moreover, our study showed that the combination of molecular genetic analyses with the monitoring of HbF was essential to make the final diagnosis of Dias-Logan syndrome. Because our patient suffered from well-controlled epilepsy, we propose to include the BCL11A gene in routinely used molecular genetic epilepsy-related gene panels. Additionally, many of the clinical features of IDS overlap with symptoms observed in patients with suspected alcohol spectrum disorders. Therefore, we also suggest monitoring HbF levels in patients with these syndromes to further facilitate clinical diagnosis.
Guidance for Rebooting Electrophysiology Through the COVID-19 Pandemic From the Heart Rhythm Society and the American Heart Association Electrocardiography and Arrhythmias Committee of the Council on Clinical Cardiology
Authors: Lakkireddy Dhanunjaya R. , Chung Mina K. , Deering Thomas F. , Gopinathannair Rakesh , Albert Christine M. , Epstein Laurence M. , Harding Clifford V. , Hurwitz Jodie L. , Jeffery Courtney C. , Krahn Andrew D. , Kusumoto Fred M. , Lampert Rachel , Mansour Moussa , Natale Andrea , Patton Kristen K. , Seiler Amber , Shah Maully J. , Wang Paul J. , Russo Andrea M.
Published: June 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has presented substantial challenges to patient care and impacted healthcare delivery, including cardiac electrophysiology practice throughout the globe. Based upon the undetermined course and regional variability of the pandemic, there is uncertainty as to how and when to resume and deliver electrophysiology services for patients with arrhythmia. This joint document from representatives of the Heart Rhythm Society, American Heart Association, and American College of Cardiology seeks to provide guidance for clinicians and institutions reestablishing safe electrophysiological care. To achieve this aim, we address regional and local COVID-19 disease status, the role of viral screening and serological testing, return-to-work considerations for exposed or infected health care workers, risk stratification and management strategies based on COVID-19 disease burden, institutional preparedness for resumption of elective procedures, patient preparation and communication, prioritization of procedures, and development of outpatient and periprocedural care pathways.
Randomized Comparison of Intensified and Standard P2Y
12
-Receptor-Inhibition Before Elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Mehilli Julinda , Baquet Moritz , Hochholzer Willibald , Mayer Katharina , Tesche Christian , Aradi Daniel , Xu Yujun , Thienel Manuela , Gschwendtner Sarah , Zadrozny Magda , Jochheim David , Sibbing Dirk , Schüpke Stefanie , Mansmann Ulrich , Hoffmann Ellen , Kastrati Adnan , Neumann Franz-Josef , Massberg Steffen
Published: June 2020

Background:

Even among biomarker-negative patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), periprocedural thrombotic and bleeding complications can lead to increased morbidity and mortality. Whether stronger platelet inhibition by an intensified oral loading strategy (ILS) before PCI impacts on outcomes among these patients in contemporary practice remains unclear.

Methods:

This multicenter, randomized, assessor-blinded trial tested the hypothesis that in elective PCI prasugrel 60 mg (ILS) is superior to standard loading strategy with clopidogrel 600 mg regarding a composite primary end point of all-cause death, any myocardial infarction, definite/probable stent thrombosis, stroke, or urgent vessel revascularization. After PCI, all patients were on clopidogrel 75 mg/day and aspirin. The trial was terminated prematurely because of slower-than-expected recruitment and funding discontinuation.

Results:

Of 781 patients included in the final analysis, 382 were assigned to ILS and 399 to standard loading strategy. At 30 days, the primary end point occurred in 66 patients (17.3%) assigned to ILS and 74 patients (18.6%) assigned to standard loading strategy (odds ratio, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.63–1.32];
P
=0.64). Any myocardial infarction and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium ≥2 bleeding rates were similar among ILS and standard loading strategy groups 16.2% versus 17.5%, odds ratio, 0.91 (95% CI, 0.62–1.32),
P
=0.62 and 4.2% versus 4.8%, odds ratio 0.87 (95% CI, 0.44–1.73),
P
=0.70, respectively.

Conclusions:

In biomarker-negative stable and unstable angina patients undergoing elective PCI, the trial did not find a conclusive difference in efficacy or safety. This observation should be interpreted in the context of wide CIs and premature termination of the trial.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT02548611.
Multiple Coalition Memberships: Helping or Hindering Small States in Multilateral (Climate) Negotiations?
Authors: Klöck Carola
Published: June 2020

This study explores multiple coalition memberships in multilateral negotiations, with a focus on climate negotiations. Why do countries engage in multiple coalitions, and how do multiple coalition memberships affect their influence? I argue that coalitions differ in important respects. Accordingly, countries may belong to both, long-term and short-lived coalitions; they may consciously decide to join a coalition, but also be associated by default. Finally, larger coalitions confer numerical strength, while smaller (sub-)coalitions help voice common positions. Regarding effects, I propose two perspectives. The zero-sum perspective highlights coordination costs and potentially incompatible positions, while the win-win perspective focuses on the complementarity of different coalitions and the potential for mutual support. Anecdotal evidence from the climate negotiations offers support for these perspectives, but further empirical research is needed to better understand why countries join several coalitions, how they navigate these multiple coalition memberships, and how these affect their influence.
The type specimens of bees (Hymenoptera, Apoidea) deposited in the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg. Contribution III. Family Halictidae, genera Halictus Latreille, 1804, and Sphecodes Latreille, 1804
Authors: ASTAFUROVA YULIA V. , PROSHCHALYKIN MAXIM YU.
Published: June 2020

The type specimens for names of bee taxa in the genera Halictus Latreille, 1804 and Sphecodes Laterille, 1804 of family Halictidae deposited in the Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences (St. Petersburg) are reviewed. Name-bearing types of 39 species and subspecies are illustrated and detailed information is provided (taxa include 15 described by F. Morawitz; nine by Yu. Pesenko; eight by P. Blüthgen; five by Yu. Astafurova & M. Proshchalykin; and two by E. Eversmann). Lectotypes are designated for Halictus flavocallosus Morawitz, 1894, and H. tataricus Blüthgen, 1933.
Description of two new Acanthoderini, and description of the male of Oreodera advena Martins & Galileo (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Lamiinae)
Authors: SANTOS-SILVA ANTONIO , DE L. NASCIMENTO FRANCISCO ERIBERTO , JÚNIOR JOSÉ OSVALDO SILVA
Published: June 2020

Two new species of Acanthoderini are described: Aegomorphus antonkozlovi, from Peru; and Plistonax antonkozlovi, from Panama. The male of Oreodera advena Martins & Galileo, 2005 is described for the first time, and a new Colombian department record is provided.
Outcomes of Paradoxical Vocal Cord Motion Diagnosed in Childhood
Authors: Yibrehu Betel , Georgakopoulos Bianca , Mudd Pamela A. , Rana Md Sohel , Bauman Nancy M.
Published: June 2020

Objectives:

To explore long-term patient reported outcome (PRO) measures of pediatric paradoxical vocal cord motion (PVCM) including ease of diagnosis, management, symptom duration and effect on quality of life.

Methods:

All children >8 years of age diagnosed with PVCM at a tertiary pediatric hospital between 2006 and 2017 were invited to complete a survey addressing study objectives.

Results:

21/47 eligible participants could be contacted and 18/21 (86%) participated. 78% were female with a mean age at diagnosis of 11.6 and 15.0 years at survey completion. Common PVCM symptoms reported were dyspnea (89%), globus sensation (56%), and stridor (50%). The median time to diagnosis was 3 months (IQR 2-5 months). Nearly all reported being misdiagnosed with another condition, usually asthma, until being correctly diagnosed usually by an otolaryngologist. Participants reported undergoing 3.7 diagnostic studies (range 0-8); pulmonary function testing was most common. Of numerous treatments acknowledged, breathing exercises were common (89%) but only reported helpful by 56%. Use of biofeedback was recalled in 1/3 of subjects but reported helpful in only 14% of them. Anti-reflux, allergy, anticholinergics, inhalers and steroids were each used in >50%, but rarely reported effective. PVCM was reportedly a significant stressor when initially diagnosed but despite 2/3 of participants still reporting ongoing PVCM symptoms, the perceived stress significantly decreased over time (Z = 3.26, P = 0.001).

Conclusions:

This first PVCM PRO study endorses that diagnosis is often delayed and prescribed treatments often viewed as ineffective. While biofeedback and breathing exercises may be critical for short-term control of PVCM episodes, lifestyle changes and stress reduction are likely necessary for long-term management. Increased awareness and improvements in management are needed for this condition.
Monitoring time-varying noise levels and perceived noisiness in hospital lobbies
Authors: Chen Chiung Yao
Published: June 2020

The aim of this study was to verify what statistical attributes are effective descriptors of time-varying noise levels due to road traffic and complex medical routine activities in hospital lobbies. In a psychoacoustic experiment, respondents provided perceived noisiness ratings affected by 12 noise events in hospital lobbies according to the processes recommended by ISO 15666. According to the correlations between subjective and objective survey results, the average LAeq ,15 m induced during the daytime itself was confirmed to be poorly related to subjective noisiness. The three independent variables shown to have the largest effects on perceived noisiness were (1) L min − L max, (2) the effective duration of the normalized autocorrelation function ( τe, h) of all LAeq,15 m from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and (3) the gradient of the cumulative distribution function (0.3–0.7 cumulative rate range). These statistical attributes have been confirmed as useful tools for detecting perceptions of complicated noise sources, but the associated correlations cannot be recovered from the relevant previous studies. Finally, construction noise was confirmed by factor analysis to be the accidental noise source with the highest factor loading (0.779) but a lower variance (<11.5%) than that of the primary factor (38.6%), and it was an average of 8 dB louder than the background noise at any given time. Accordingly, it is a primary confounding variable of the correlation matrixes of the results for independent hospitals verified by normality test.