bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Updated Understanding of the Current Emerging Respiratory Infection: COVID‐19
Authors: Yuan Hai , Cao Xiaoguang , Ji Xiaoqi , Du Fangbing , He Jiawei , Zhou Xuan , Xie Yanghu , Zhu Yu
Published: October 2020

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the COVID‐19 pandemic has been declared as a priority disease. Some patients with COVID‐19 had symptoms of multiple organ failure and death. The published articles on COVID‐19 infection were reviewed. The origin of SARS‐CoV‐2 is still not completely established. Person‐to‐person transmission via droplets, probable aerosols, or close contact is considered as the main mode of transmission. With increased mortality due to SARS‐CoV‐2, valuable clinical indicators or treatments should be further identified and summarized. CT scanning plays an important role in the diagnosis and evaluation of COVID‐19 in asymptomatic patients or those with initially negative RT‐PCR results. No specific antiviral therapy is recommended, except the main supportive treatments, and effective measures should be taken into consideration to protect important organs and prevent the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in patients with severe infection.
Microarray Analysis of Small Extracellular Vesicle-Derived miRNAs Involved in Oxidative Stress of RPE Cells
Authors: Mao Ke , Wu Xingwei
Published: October 2020

The aim of this study was to investigate the miRNA profiles of nanosized small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) from human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells under oxidative damage. ARPE-19 cells were cultured with ox-LDL (100 mg/L) or serum-free medium for 48 hours, sEVs were then extracted, and miRNA sequencing was conducted to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the 2 groups. RNA sequence results were validated using quantitative real-time PCR. The Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway, and ingenuity pathway analyses (IPA) were performed for the DEGs. Results revealed that oxidative stress inhibited RPE cell viability and promoted sEV secretion. A total of 877 DEGs from sEVs were identified, of which 272 were downregulated and 605 were upregulated. In total, 66 enriched GO terms showed that the 3 most significant enrichment terms were cellular processes (biological processes), cell (cellular component), and catalytic activity (molecular function). IPA were used to explore DEGs associated with oxidation damage and further construct a miRNA-target regulatory network. This study identified several DEGs from oxidation-stimulated RPE cells, which may act as potential RNA targets for prognosis and diagnosis of RPE degeneration.
Research on the Measurement, Evolution, and Driving Factors of Green Innovation Efficiency in Yangtze River Economic Belt: A Super-SBM and Spatial Durbin Model
Authors: Long Renyan , Guo Hangyuan , Zheng Danting , Chang Ronghua , Na Sanggyun
Published: October 2020

With the shortage of resources and the increasingly serious environmental pollution in China, green innovation has become a sustainable competition for a region. The Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) strategy is one of the most important strategies for the sustainable development of China’s economy under the new normal. Green innovation plays a linking role in the resources exchange and trade flow in YREB, and it is also the foundation and guarantee to implement the YREB strategy. The global environmental pollution and the weak recovery of world economy make the traditional extensive economic growth model unsustainable. Sustainable economic growth should focus on the quality of development and its external costs to the environment. In order to implement the concept of sustainable development, the improvement of logistics ecological efficiency is related to the quality of ecological civilization construction. Therefore, it is of theoretical and practical significance to study the measurement, evolution, and driving factors of coordinated development level of regional green innovation system. This paper proposes a super-slack-based measure (super-SBM) data envelopment analysis (DEA) model to measure the green innovation efficiency of 11 provinces and cities in YREB from 2008 to 2017, mastering its spatial and evolutionary characteristics, and conduct empirical analysis on the influencing factors. The empirical results indicate that economic development, government support, and industrial structure upgrading are the leading forces to directly enhance the green technology innovation ability of cities in the Yangtze River Economic belt and play the core driving role of green innovation. To further enhance the capacity of urban green innovation in the Yangtze River Economic belt, we will increase the government’s support for green innovation, optimize the environmental governance model, promote the green upgrading of industrial structure, and enhance the enthusiasm of enterprises for green innovation.
Cardiac Optogenetics in Atrial Fibrillation: Current Challenges and Future Opportunities
Authors: Floria Mariana , Radu Smaranda , Gosav Evelina Maria , Moraru Aurelian Corneliu , Serban Teodor , Carauleanu Alexandru , Costea Claudia Florida , Ouatu Anca , Ciocoiu Manuela , Tanase Daniela Maria
Published: October 2020

Although rarely life‐threatening on short term, atrial fibrillation leads to increased mortality and decreased quality of life through its complications, including heart failure and stroke. Recent studies highlight the benefits of maintaining sinus rhythm. However, pharmacological long‐term rhythm control strategies may be shadowed by associated proarrhythmic effects. At the same time, electrical cardioversion is limited to hospitals, while catheter ablation therapy, although effective, is invasive and is dedicated to specific patients, usually with low amounts of atrial fibrosis (preferably Utah I‐II). Cardiac optogenetics allows influencing the heart’s electrical activity by applying specific wavelength light pulses to previously engineered cardiomyocytes into expressing microbial derived light‐sensitive proteins called opsins. The resulting ion influx may give rise to either hyperpolarizing or depolarizing currents, thus offering a therapeutic potential in cardiac electrophysiology, including pacing, resynchronization, and arrhythmia termination. Optogenetic atrial fibrillation cardioversion might be achieved by inducing a conduction block or filling of the excitable gap. The authors agree that transmural opsin expression and appropriate illumination with an exposure time longer than the arrhythmia cycle length are necessary to achieve successful arrhythmia termination. However, the efficiency and safety of biological cardioversion in humans remain to be seen, as well as side effects such as immune reactions and loss of opsin expression. The possibility of delivering pain‐free shocks with out‐of‐hospital biological cardioversion is tempting; however, there are several issues that need to be addressed first: applicability and safety in humans, long‐term behaviour, anticoagulation requirements, and fibrosis interactions.
Determination of the Cytotoxic Effect of Different Leaf Extracts from Parinari curatellifolia (Chrysobalanaceae)
Authors: Kundishora Anesu , Sithole Simbarashe , Mukanganyama Stanley
Published: October 2020

Despite plants being a rich source of useful chemical compounds with different pharmacological properties, some of these compounds may be toxic to humans. Parinari curatellifolia, among its other important pharmacological activities, has been shown to have significant antiproliferative activity on cancer cell lines. Toxicity studies are required to determine the safety profile of P. curatellifolia in the consideration of its potential pharmaceutical benefits as a source of lead compounds in cancer therapy. The effects of P. curatellifolia on both the integrity of the erythrocyte membrane and on normal cells were determined. The dried leaf powder of P. curatellifolia was used in serial exhaustive extraction procedures using hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, acetone, ethanol, methanol, and water as solvents in addition to extraction using DCM: methanol in equal ratio. Alkaloids, flavonoids, and saponins were isolated from the ethanol extract. The leaf extracts were tested for haemolytic activity on sheep erythrocytes at concentrations of 0.625 to 5 mg/ml. The extracts were also tested for toxicity activity on normal mammalian cells such as the BALB/c mice peritoneal cells using the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) at the concentrations of 6.3 to 50 μg/ml. In the haemolysis assays, none of the plant extracts had a significant haemolytic activity with the saponin-enriched extract having the maximum haemolytic activity of 12.2% for a concentration of 5 mg/ml. In the MTT cell viability assay, none of the 11 plant extracts had significant cytotoxicity. The water extract, however, had significant (p<0.01) proliferative activity towards the murine immune cells at all concentrations. P. curatellifolia leaf extracts were, therefore, not toxic to both erythrocytes and immune cells, and the water extract may have immunostimulatory effects. It is concluded that P. curatellifolia leaf extracts are not toxic in vitro and, therefore, our results support the use of the plant for ethnomedicinal use.
An Improved Blockchain-Based Authentication Protocol for IoT Network Management
Authors: Yavari Mostafa , Safkhani Masoumeh , Kumari Saru , Kumar Sachin , Chen Chien-Ming
Published: October 2020

Communication security between IoT devices is a major concern in this area, and the blockchain has raised hopes that this concern will be addressed. In the blockchain concept, the majority or even all network nodes check the validity and accuracy of exchanged data before accepting and recording them, whether this data is related to financial transactions or measurements of a sensor or an authentication message. In evaluating the validity of an exchanged data, nodes must reach a consensus in order to perform a special action, in which case the opportunity to enter and record transactions and unreliable interactions with the system is significantly reduced. Recently, in order to share and access management of IoT devices information with distributed attitude a new authentication protocol based on blockchain is proposed and it is claimed that this protocol satisfies user privacy preserving and security. However, in this paper, we show that this protocol has security vulnerabilities against secret disclosure, replay, traceability, and

Token

reuse attacks with the success probability of 1 and constant complexity of also 1. We also proposed an improved blockchain-based authentication protocol (IBCbAP) that has security properties such as secure access management and anonymity. We implemented IBCbAP using JavaScript programming language and Ethereum local blockchain. We also proved IBCbAP’s security both informally and formally through the Scyther tool. Our comparisons showed that IBCbAP could provide suitable security along with reasonable cost.
Statistical Evaluation of the Material‐Source Effect on the Ductility and Elastic Recovery (ER) of Plant‐Mix Extracted Asphalt‐Binders
Authors: Walubita Lubinda F. , Martinez-Arguelles Gilberto , Chunduri Harshavardhan R. , Gonzalez Hernandez Jose G. , Fuentes Luis
Published: October 2020

This study was conducted to quantitatively and statistically evaluate the effects of material source on the ductility of asphalt‐binders, measured in terms of the elastic recovery (ER) property. The ER data used in the study were excerpted from the Texas flexible pavements and overlays database, namely, the Texas Data Storage System (DSS), covering plant‐mix extracted PG XX‐22 asphalt‐binders (i.e., rolling thin film oven (RTFO) residues) from 20 different sources and measured using the Ductilometer test at 10°C. The findings of the study indicated that material source has an impact on the ER property of asphalt‐binders. Statistically significant differences were observed among some sources and suppliers that reported the same low‐temperature asphalt‐binder type/grade (i.e., PG XX‐22). Overall, the study contributes to enriching the literature on the material‐source effects on asphalt‐binders’ ER properties, consistency, variability, and data quality. In particular, the study highlights the sensitivity nature of the asphalt‐binder ER parameter to material‐source effects.
Low-Cost Authentication Protocol for D2D Communication in m-Health with Trust Evaluation
Authors: Lopes Ana Paula G. , Gondim Paulo R. L.
Published: October 2020

Relay-assisted device-to-device (D2D) communication serves users at the edge of system coverage of 5G networks, enabling communication among sensors and patients’ mobile devices, and improving spectral and power efficiency. The security of D2D-based m-health applications requires attention due to the delicacy of the data treated in the collection, transmission, and storage of information on patients, whose devices must be adequately authenticated. However, traditional authentication and key agreement schemes are not suitable for D2D scenarios, since they might expose patients to security vulnerabilities and lead to an excessive use of resources. This article proposes a secure and lightweight scheme based on Shamir secret sharing for the mutual authentication of m-health devices in relay-assisted D2D communications, which provides security robustness and reduces resources (energy, processing) consumption. The manuscript also addresses the trustworthiness of devices involved in data relay and device discovery procedures.
Coal and Gas Outburst Affected by Law of Small Fault Instability during Working Face Advance
Authors: Lin Jianyun , Zuo Yujun , Zhang Kai , Sun Wenjibin , Jin Biao , Li Taotao , Chen Qing-gang
Published: October 2020

To analyze the effect of small faults in the working face on coal and gas outbursts, the coal and gas outburst accident in the 21431 working face was studied with the 3DEC numerical simulation method, and the main research contents were the change laws of both stresses at the small fault and the overburden strata movement rate in the small fault zone of which the drop height and the strike were designed into different groups. The results show that the risk of small fault slip increases with the advancing working face. In addition, there is a positive correlation between the risk and the small fault throw. The movement rate of overburden strata in the small fault zone increases along with the rising of the small fault throw, which increases the energy transferred to the coal seam from the surrounding rock under the effect of the small fault. Hence, the effect of small faults on the working face on coal and gas outbursts was positively correlated with the small fault throw. Under the influence of a small fault strike, the closer it is to the small fault along the dip distance at the same working face, the greater the risk will be of a coal and gas outburst. And the bigger the small fault strike is, the greater is the stress concentration degree in front of the working face and the more the elastic energy is stored and the greater is the possibility of an outburst. The paper analyzes the influence of small faults on coal and gas outbursts in the working face, which has reference significance for the prediction and prevention of coal and gas outburst disaster in the working face.
foF2 Seasonal Asymmetry Diurnal Variation Study during Very Quiet Geomagnetic Activity at Dakar Station
Authors: Sandwidi Sibri Alphonse , Gnabahou Doua Allain , Ouattara Frédéric
Published: October 2020

This paper aims to study the foF2 seasonal asymmetry diurnal variation at Dakar station from 1976 to 1995. We show that equinoctial asymmetry is less pronounced and somewhere is absent throughout 21 and 22 solar cycles. The absence of equinoctial asymmetry may be due to Russell-McPherron mechanism and the vertical drift

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. The solstice anomaly or annual anomaly is always observed throughout both 21 and 22 solar cycles as measured at Dakar ionosonde. The maximum negative value of σfoF2, fairly equal to -65%, is observed during the decreasing phase at solstice time; this value appeared usually at 0200 LT except during the maximum phase during which it is observed at 2300 LT. The maximum positive value, fairly equal to +94%, is observed at 0600 LT during solar minimum at solstice time. This annual asymmetry may be due to neutral composition asymmetric variation and solar radiation annual asymmetry with the solstice time. The semiannual asymmetry is also observed during all solar cycle phases. The maximum positive value (+73%) is observed at 2300 LT during solar maximum, and its maximum negative (-12%) is observed during the increasing phase. We established, as the case of annual asymmetry, that this asymmetry could not be explained by the asymmetry in vertical velocity

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phenomenon but by the axial mechanism, the “thermospheric spoon” mechanism, and the seasonally varying eddy mixing phenomenon.
Data Mining and Systematic Pharmacology to Reveal the Mechanisms of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Recurrent Respiratory Tract Infections’ Treatment
Authors: Luo Changyong , Yu He , Yang Tao , Bai Chen , He Bing , Yan Yurou , Liu Tiegang , Wang Junhong , Gu Xiaohong
Published: October 2020

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) was widely used in the treatment of recurrent respiratory tract infections (RRTIs) in East Asia, but its mechanism was not clear because of its complex prescription rules. This research prospectively collected 100 prescriptions of RRTI children treated with TCM. The characteristics of TCM in prescriptions were described and analyzed, and the rules of prescriptions were analyzed by hierarchical clustering and association rules. The results showed that the principle of RRTI was to pay equal attention to cold and mild, and six new meaningful prescriptions were obtained. Among them, the new prescription composed of Astragali Radix (Huangqi), Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu), Saposhnikoviae Radix (Fangfeng), Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), and Paeoniae Radix Rubra (Chishao) was an important method to treat RRTI. In order to explore the mechanism of the new prescription, the research obtained the action target of each herb of the core prescription on Integrative Pharmacology‐based Research Platform of Traditional Chinese Medicine, TCMIP v2.0. The target genes were enriched by Metascape, and 93 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were obtained. According to the classification and statistics of KEGG type, it was found that the new prescription mainly intervened in the metabolic pathway dominated by amino acid metabolism. In addition, there were also many interventions in the nervous system‐, endocrine system‐, and digestive system‐related pathways. This study summarized the prescription rule of TCM in the treatment of RRTI, analyzed the mechanism of supplementing deficiency, and provided a new idea for the treatment of RRTI.
Fractional-Order Iterative Learning Control with Initial State Learning for a Class of Multiagent Systems
Authors: Li Xungen , Lv Shuaishuai , Pan Mian , Ma Qi , Cai Wenyu
Published: October 2020

To solve the consensus problem of fractional-order multiagent systems with nonzero initial states, both open- and closed-loop PDα-type fractional-order iterative learning control are presented. Considering the nonzero states, an initial state learning mechanism is designed. The finite time convergences of the proposed methods are discussed in detail and strictly proved by using Lebesgue-p norm theory and fractional-order calculus. The convergence conditions of the proposed algorithms are presented. Finally, some simulations are applied to verify the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
Coconut Shell Activated Carbon/CoFe2O4 Composite for the Removal of Rhodamine B from Aqueous Solution
Authors: Hoang Le Phuong , Van Huu Tap , Nguyen Thi Thuy Hang , Nguyen Van Quang , Quang Thang Phan
Published: October 2020

Coconut shell activated carbon loaded with cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) composites (CAC/CoFe2O4) was synthesized via the single-step refluxing router method to manufacture adsorbents. The adsorbents were then applied to remove Rhodamine B (RhB) from aqueous environments via adsorption. The properties of coconut shell activated carbon (CAC) and CAC/CoFe2O4 were investigated through the usage of electron microscopic methods (SEM: Scanning Electron Microscopy, EDS: Energy Dispersive X-ray), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). A series of batch experiments were implemented to evaluate the influences of various experimental parameters (initial pH, RhB concentration, contact time, and dosage of CAC/CoFe2O4) on the adsorption process. It was found that CoFe2O4 was successfully attached to activated carbon particles and had the suitable adsorption capacity for RhB at a molar ratio of 1 : 2:200 corresponding to the Co : Fe:CAC order. The removal efficiency and adsorption of RhB were optimal at a pH level of 4. The maximum adsorption capacity was 94.08 mg/g at an initial concentration of 350 mg/L and adsorbent dosage of 0.05 g/25 mL. Freundlich and Langmuir's models fitted well with the results obtained from the experimental data. The pseudo-second-order model also suited the most for RhB adsorption with the most remarkable correlation coefficient (R2 = 0.934). The adsorption process was controlled by a chemisorption mechanism through electrostatic attraction, hydrogen bonding interactions, and π-π interactions.
Elevated IL-12, TNF-α, and TNF-α/IL-10 Ratios in Stored Plasmodium falciparum-Infected Whole Blood: Implications for Safe Haemotransfusion
Authors: Aninagyei Enoch , Adu Patrick , Egyir-Yawson Alexander , Acheampong Desmond Omane
Published: October 2020

Although Plasmodium falciparum infections in blood donors have been reported, the impact of parasitaemia on cytokine levels in stored whole blood has not been explored. This study evaluated the effect of P. falciparum parasitaemia on circulating cytokines and their relationship with haematological parameters in banked blood. In this case-control study, two groups of donor whole blood were recruited: P. falciparum-infected donors (parasitaemia: 515–1877 parasites/μL) and noninfected blood donors (control). At day 0 (baseline), 7, 14, 21, and 35 of banking circulating cytokine levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin- (IL-) 12, IL-10, and IL-6 levels and haematological parameters were determined. Kruskal-Wallis test determined differences in weekly cytokine levels while Dunn’s post hoc test determined exact significant points. At baseline, the mean TNF-α (33.81 pg/mL vs. 22.70 pg/mL), IL-12 (28.39 pg/mL vs. 16.15 pg/mL), IL-10 (51.04 pg/mL vs. 18.95 pg/mL), and IL-6 (71.03 pg/mL vs. 30.89 pg/mL) levels were significantly higher in infected donor whole blood. Significant rate of increase was observed in TNF-α, IL-12 levels, and TNF-α/IL-10 ratios in infected blood, while decreased levels were observed in IL-10. IL-6 peaked at day 21 and fell below baseline level at day 35. Significant changes in TNF-α, IL-12, IL-10, IL-6 levels, and TNF-α/IL-10 ratios in infected donor blood were observed 7 days after storage. Unlike in noninfected stored whole blood, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-12, and TNF-α/IL-10 ratio levels in infected stored whole blood related inversely to haematological parameters (white cells, red cells, platelets, and haemoglobin levels) during storage. However, in both groups, significant direct relationship was observed in IL-10 and haematological parameters. In conclusion, banking of P. falciparum-infected donor whole blood may lead to infusion of large quantities of inflammatory cytokines with potential adverse immunological response in recipients.
BRIP1, a Gene Potentially Implicated in Familial Colorectal Cancer Type X
Authors: Martín-Morales Lorena , Garre Pilar , Lorca Víctor , Cazorla Marta , Llovet Patricia , Bando Inmaculada , García-Barberan Vanesa , González-Morales María Luisa , Esteban-Jurado Clara , de la Hoya Miguel , Castellví-Bel Sergi , Caldés Trinidad
Published: October 2020

Familial colorectal cancer Type X (FCCTX) comprises a heterogeneous group of families with an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer and other related tumors, but with mismatch repair–proficient, microsatellite-stable (MSS) tumors. Unfortunately, the genetic basis underlying their cancer predisposition remains unknown. Although pathogenic germline variants in BRIP1 increase the risk of developing hereditary ovarian cancer, the involvement of BRIP1 in hereditary colorectal cancer is still not well known. In order to identify new BRIP1 variants associated with inherited colorectal cancer, affected and nonaffected individuals from 18 FCCTX or high-risk MSS colorectal cancer families were evaluated by whole-exome sequencing, and another 62 colorectal cancer patients from FCCTX or high-risk MSS colorectal cancer families were screened by a next-generation sequencing (NGS) multigene panel. The families were recruited at the Genetic Counseling Unit of Hospital Clínico San Carlos of Madrid. A total of three different BRIP1 mutations in three unrelated families were identified. Among them, there were two frameshift variants [c.1702_1703del, p.(Asn568TrpfsTer9) and c.903del, p.(Leu301PhefsTer2)] that result in the truncation of the protein and are thus classified as pathogenic (class 5). The remaining was a missense variant [c.2220G>T, p.(Gln740His)] considered a variant of uncertain significance (class 3). The segregation and loss-of-heterozygosity studies provide evidence linking the two BRIP1 frameshift variants to colorectal cancer risk, with suggestive but not definitive evidence that the third variant may be benign. The results here presented suggest that germline BRIP1 pathogenic variants could be associated with hereditary colorectal cancer predisposition.

Prevention Relevance: We suggest that BRIP1 pathogenic germline variants may have a causal role in CRC as moderate cancer susceptibility alleles and be associated with hereditary CRC predisposition. A better understanding of hereditary CRC may provide important clues to disease predisposition and could contribute to molecular diagnostics, improved risk stratification, and targeted therapeutic strategies.
Diet-Associated Inflammation Modulates Inflammation and WNT Signaling in the Rectal Mucosa, and the Response to Supplementation with Dietary Fiber
Authors: Malcomson Fiona C. , Willis Naomi D. , McCallum Iain , Xie Long , Shivappa Nitin , Wirth Michael D. , Hébert James R. , Kocaadam-Bozkurt Betul , Özturan-Sirin Aycil , Kelly Seamus B. , Bradburn D. Michael , Belshaw Nigel J. , Johnson Ian T. , Mathers John C.
Published: October 2020

Inflammation drives colorectal cancer development, and colorectal cancer risk is influenced by dietary factors, including dietary fiber. Hyperactive WNT signaling occurs in colorectal cancer and may regulate inflammation. This study investigated (i) relationships between the inflammatory potential of diet, assessed using the Energy-adjusted Dietary Inflammatory Index (E-DII), and markers of WNT signaling, and (ii) whether DII status modulated the response to supplementation with two types of dietary fiber. Seventy-five healthy participants were supplemented with resistant starch and/or polydextrose (PD) or placebo for 50 days. Rectal biopsies were collected before and after intervention and used to assess WNT pathway gene expression and crypt cell proliferation. E-DII scores were calculated from food frequency questionnaire data. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and fecal calprotectin concentrations were quantified. hsCRP concentration was significantly greater in participants with higher E-DII scores [least square means (LSM) 4.7 vs. 2.4 mg/L, P = 0.03]. Baseline E-DII score correlated with FOSL1 (β = 0.503, P = 0.003) and WNT11 (β = 0.472, P = 0.006) expression, after adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, endoscopy procedure, and smoking status. WNT11 expression was more than 2-fold greater in individuals with higher E-DII scores (LSM 0.131 vs. 0.059, P = 0.002). Baseline E-DII modulated the effects of PD supplementation on FOSL1 expression (P = 0.04). More proinflammatory diets were associated with altered WNT signaling and appeared to modulate the effects of PD supplementation on expression of FOSL1. This is the first study to investigate relationships between the E-DII and molecular markers of WNT signaling in rectal tissue of healthy individuals.

Prevention Relevance: Our finding that more inflammatory dietary components may impact large bowel health through effects on a well-recognized pathway involved in cancer development will strengthen the evidence base for dietary advice to help prevent bowel cancer.
Breast Cancer Chemoprevention: Use and Views of Australian Women and Their Clinicians
Authors: Macdonald Courtney , Saunders Christobel M. , Keogh Louise A. , Hunter Morgan , Mazza Danielle , McLachlan Sue-Anne , Jones Sandra C. , Nesci Stephanie , Friedlander Michael L. , Hopper John L. , Emery Jon D. , Hickey Martha , Milne Roger L. , Phillips Kelly-Anne
Published: October 2020

Guidelines endorse the use of chemoprevention for breast cancer risk reduction. This study examined the barriers and facilitators to chemoprevention use for Australian women at increased risk of breast cancer, and their clinicians. Surveys, based on the Theoretical Domains Framework, were mailed to 1,113 women at ≥16% lifetime risk of breast cancer who were enrolled in the Kathleen Cuningham Foundation Consortium for Research into Familial Breast Cancer cohort study (kConFab), and their 524 treating clinicians. Seven hundred twenty-five women (65%) and 221 (42%) clinicians responded. Only 10 (1.4%) kConFab women had ever taken chemoprevention. Three hundred seventy-eight (52%) kConFab women, two (3%) breast surgeons, and 51 (35%) family physicians were not aware of chemoprevention. For women, the strongest barriers to chemoprevention were side effects (31%) and inadequate information (23%), which operate in the Theoretical Domains Framework domains of “beliefs about consequences” and “knowledge,” respectively. Strongest facilitators related to tamoxifen's long-term efficacy (35%, “knowledge,” “beliefs about consequences,” and “goals” domains), staying healthy for family (13%, “social role” and “goals” domains), and abnormal breast biopsy (13%, “environmental context” domain). The strongest barrier for family physicians was insufficient knowledge (45%, “knowledge” domain) and for breast surgeons was medication side effects (40%, “beliefs about consequences” domain). The strongest facilitators for both clinician groups related to clear guidelines, strong family history, and better tools to select patients (“environmental context and resources” domain). Clinician knowledge and resources, and beliefs about the side-effect consequences of chemoprevention, are key domains that could be targeted to potentially enhance uptake.

Prevention Relevance:

Despite its efficacy in reducing breast cancer incidence, chemoprevention is underutilised. This survey study of Australian women and their clinicians used behavioural change theory to identify modifiable barriers to chemoprevention uptake, and to suggest interventions such as policy change, educational resources and public campaigns, that may increase awareness and use.

See related Spotlight by Vogel, p. 1
Progression of Primary Gastric Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma after Helicobacter pylori Eradication
Authors: Saito Makoto , Mori Akio , Ogasawara Reiki , Izumiyama Koh , Morioka Masanobu , Kondo Takeshi , Miyashita Kencho
Published: October 2020

In Helicobacter pylori-positive, localized primary gastric diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), an increasing number of reports have recently been published on the effectiveness of H. pylori eradication (HPE). However, HPE treatment strategies for gastric DLBCL, including its indications, have yet to be examined. No detailed report has been published on a case of gastric DLBCL unsuccessfully treated by HPE. A 64-year-old female and a 70-year-old male were pathologically diagnosed with chronic active gastritis and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, respectively. Both patients were positive for H. pylori, so HPE was employed. The disease progressed within 1 year, and both patients were pathologically diagnosed with DLBCL by endoscopic biopsy. On reviewing the first pathology slide, both patients were diagnosed with DLBCL. That is, the 2 patients had primary gastric DLBCL; however, they exhibited progressive disease after HPE. This failure of HPE treatment may be due to the initial lymphomas being multiplex ulcerative lesions. In both cases, complete remission was achieved by chemotherapy (plus radiation therapy) without recurrence for more than 3 years.
Role of Conjunctival Ultraviolet Autofluorescence in Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia
Authors: Yadav Saumya , Gupta Noopur , Singh Rashmi , Patil Mukesh , Meel Rachna , Vanathi Murugesan , Kashyap Seema , Tandon Radhika
Published: October 2020

Objective: To evaluate the adjunctive role of conjunctival autofluorescence in the management of ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN). Materials and Methods: Seventeen patients with clinically diagnosed OSSN were included. Morphological characteristics, type of OSSN, and autofluorescence photographs of the lesion were captured. Presence and area of conjunctival ultraviolet autofluorescence (CUVAF) were the main outcome measures. Results: Overall, 17 patients with 15 (88%) primary and 2 (12%) recurrent OSSN were included. Common locations were temporal (n = 10), nasal (n = 5), and diffuse variety (n = 2). Morphologically, there were 4 (22.2%) nodular, 4 (22.2%) leucoplakic, 3 (16.7%) gelatinous, and 1 (5.5%) each of papillary, nodulo-ulcerative, and diffuse variety. Mixed morphology was present in 4 eyes (22.2%). Sixteen of 18 eyes (88.9%) with OSSN displayed autofluorescence on CUVAF images. The mean area of CUVAF was 15.82 mm2 (10.77–19.59 mm2). Autofluorescence was reported in 8 eyes (44.4%) which had negative reports on impression cytology. Conclusions: Conjunctival autofluorescence was seen in the majority of cases with OSSN, in spite of negative cytology reports. Our study demonstrates that CUVAF may serve as an effective ancillary, non-invasive, and resource-friendly tool for supplementing the clinical diagnosis of OSSN, especially in diffuse and recurrent lesions that are not amenable to surgical intervention.
The Propensity to Form Biofilm in vitro by Staphylococcus aureus Strains Isolated from the Anterior Nares of Patients with Atopic Dermatitis: Clinical Associations
Authors: Blicharz Leszek , Michalak Maryla , Szymanek-Majchrzak Ksenia , Młynarczyk Grażyna , Skowroński Krzysztof , Rudnicka Lidia , Samochocki Zbigniew
Published: October 2020

Background: Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis with complex pathogenesis. The skin microbiome in atopic dermatitis is dominated by Staphylococcus aureus which shows the ability to produce biofilm. Objectives: The aim of this work was to assess the influence of S. aureus biofilm on the course of atopic dermatitis. Methods: Disease severity was evaluated based on the SCORAD index in 56 adult patients with atopic dermatitis. Microtiter plate assay of the propensity to form biofilm was performed on S. aureus strains isolated from the anterior nares, lesional skin, and nonlesional skin. Microbiological results were correlated to the clinical parameters and total IgE concentration. Results: Biofilm-producing strains of S. aureus were identified in 76.3% (29/38) and 79.1% (34/43) of samples from the anterior nares and lesional skin, respectively (p > 0.05), and in 48.5% (16/33) of samples from nonlesional skin (p < 0.03). Patients colonized by biofilm-producing strains of S. aureus within the anterior nares showed statistically higher mean values of total and objective SCORAD and its components (extent, dryness), and of the largest extent of skin lesions during the flares in the last year when compared to patients colonized by non-biofilm-producing strains. Carriage of biofilm-producing S. aureus on lesional skin was associated with higher mean values of the extent of skin lesions during stable periods of the disease. Conclusions: The results of this study may suggest a relationship between the production of biofilm by S. aureus strains colonizing the anterior nares and the course of atopic dermatitis. Biofilm seems crucial for dispersal and persistent colonization of large areas of the skin by this pathogen. Destruction of S. aureus biofilm could positively affect the course of atopic dermatitis.
High-Dose Erythropoietin in Extremely Low Gestational Age Neonates Does Not Alter Risk of Retinopathy of Prematurity
Authors: Mayock Dennis E. , Xie Zimeng , Comstock Bryan A. , Heagerty Patrick J. , Juul Sandra E. ,   on behalf of the Preterm Epo Neuroprotection (PENUT) Trial Consortium
Published: October 2020

Introduction: The Preterm Erythropoietin (Epo) Neuroprotection (PENUT) Trial sought to determine the safety and efficacy of early high-dose Epo as a potential neuroprotective treatment. We hypothesized that Epo would not increase the incidence or severity of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Methods: A total of 941 infants born between 24–0/7 and 27–6/7 weeks’ gestation were randomized to 1,000 U/kg Epo or placebo intravenously for 6 doses, followed by subcutaneous or sham injections of 400 U/kg Epo 3 times a week through 32 weeks post-menstrual age. In this secondary analysis of PENUT trial data, survivors were evaluated for ROP. A modified intention-to-treat approach was used to compare treatment groups. In addition, risk factors for ROP were evaluated using regression methods that account for multiples and allow for adjustment for treatment and gestational age at birth. Results: Of 845 subjects who underwent ROP examination, 503 were diagnosed with ROP with similar incidence and severity between treatment groups. Gestational age at birth, birth weight, prenatal magnesium sulfate, maternal antibiotic exposure, and presence of heart murmur at 2 weeks predicted the development of any ROP, while being on high-frequency oscillator or high-frequency jet ventilation (HFOV/HFJV) at 2 weeks predicted severe ROP. Conclusion: Early high-dose Epo followed by maintenance dosing through 32 weeks does not increase the risk of any or severe ROP in extremely low gestational age neonates. Gestational age, birth weight, maternal treatment with magnesium sulfate, antibiotic use during pregnancy, and presence of a heart murmur at 2 weeks were associated with increased risk of any ROP. Treatment with HFOV/HFJV was associated with an increased risk of severe ROP.
Early HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: Current Treatment and Novel Approaches
Authors: Ban Marija , Petrić Miše Branka , Vrdoljak Eduard
Published: October 2020

Background: Trastuzumab significantly improves outcomes in early HER2-positive breast cancer, irrespectively of any prognostic or predictive factors. Unfortunately, about a quarter of patients receiving neoadjuvant trastuzumab experience disease recurrence, revealing the unquestionable need for further improvement of treatment outcomes. Summary: Adding HER2 blockade to adjuvant trastuzumab with pertuzumab and neratinib improves invasive disease-free survival (IDFS), particularly for those at highest risk of recurrence. A shift toward a neoadjuvant strategy for patients with a higher risk of recurrence could result in further treatment optimization. For patients without a pathological complete response (pCR) after the neoadjuvant part of the therapy, a switch to adjuvant trastuzumab emtansine significantly improves IDFS and distant recurrence-free survival and shows a trend towards improved overall survival (OS). On the other hand, for low-risk patients, chemotherapy deescalation should be strongly considered with the use of trastuzumab monotherapy as an anti-HER2 backbone. Key Messages: Neoadjuvant therapy should be offered for a significant proportion of HER2-positive early breast cancer patients with a higher risk of recurrence. Postneoadjuvant treatment should be tailored according to the initial stage of disease and the response to neoadjuvant treatment.
lugar do sertão em Ariano Suassuna
Authors: Roemer Ariel
Published: October 2020

O artigo a seguir se refere a pesquisa que consiste na compreensão do conceito de sertão no livro Romance d’A Pedra do Reino e o Príncipe do Sangue do Vai-e-Volta de Ariano Suassuna. Tal discussão se insere nas questões de representações e ideologias geográficas no contexto de cultura popular. Portanto, é feito um debate sobre o papel do sertão na formação social, cultural, espacial e simbólica como um lugar específico. Tudo isso imerso na estética do Movimento Armorial, do qual Ariano Suassuna é fundador, no direcionamento do romance e na forma como o espaço sertanejo é representado.
Dorstenia arachniformis (Moraceae), a new species from Combretum wooded grasslands in Makueni County, Kenya

Authors: MALOMBE ITAMBO , MATHEKA KENNEDY WAMBUA , MWADIME THOMAS , MWACHALA GEOFFREY
Published: October 2020

A new species of Dorstenia (Moraceae), D. arachniformis, is described from the Combretum wooded grassland vegetation relicts in south-eastern Kenya. The species is distinguished from the closely related D. goetzei by features of the receptacle and appendages. An assessment of the conservation status of the new species is provided.
Three-Dimensional Quantitative Analysis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Lesions on CT Images
Authors: Mao Shitao , Zhao Mingjing , Liu Shou , Wu Lijian , Zhao Guangdan , Liu Dan , Zheng Huimei , Wang Xiaoge , Wang Lingling
Published: October 2020

In this paper, the three-dimensional segmentation of pulmonary honeycomb lesions and the function of image biomarkers are integrated into a quantitative analysis module of the lung, and integrated into the PACS image diagnosis workstation for the quantitative analysis of doctors. It
is difficult to segment honeycomb lesions in lung CT images because of its diffuse and blurred edges, but it has good texture characteristics. Based on this feature, this paper converts honeycomb lesions into a texture classification problem. Firstly, the lung parenchyma is extracted by automatic
threshold segmentation and region growing method, and then the lung parenchyma is divided into several small regions according to the texture by watershed method. Then, according to the texture characteristics of each small area, the trained support vector machine is used to classify. Finally,
the correlation between gray level and spatial position of slice data is used to correct the classification results, so as to reduce false positive areas. In order to expand the study of imaging biomarkers of chronic lung diseases to more extensive major diseases, a sample database was established
for a wide range of multiple lesions. Through feature extraction and feature analysis of multiple lesions in database, potential feature differences can be excavated, which lays a solid foundation for further study of image biomarkers of multiple lesions.
Analysis of Tumor Disease Patterns Based on Medical Big Data
Authors: Zheng Jing , Gao Zhongjun , Pu Lixin , He Mingjie , Fan Jipeng , Wang Shuang , Cai Yunpeng , He Limin
Published: October 2020

Using the medical big data mining related technology, the model of tumor disease was analyzed and studied. Using data science methods as a guiding method and idea, analyzing and constructing a medical service model based on big data for oncology diseases, exploring its development strategy;
using business process analysis method to analyze the business process and mapping of cancer disease medical services; using serviceoriented architecture analysis and Design methodology to build a highly flexible, configurable, and easily scalable precision medical big data platform. By analyzing
the characteristics of medical big data and the shortcomings of the traditional Apriori algorithm, the Hadoop platform is used to improve and optimize the Apriori algorithm. The results show that the improved Apriori algorithm has great improvement in efficiency and performance, and can be
adapted to mining medical big data. Through data mining experiments, it is concluded that there is a correlation between tumors and smoking, chronic infection, occupational pathogenic factors, etc. It has certain guiding significance for the prevention and treatment of tumors, thus also demonstrating
the improved Apriori algorithm for lung tumors. Clinical research has practical significance.
The Evaluation of Short-Term Outcome of Neuroblastoma in Children by 18F-FDG PET/CT Imaging and Ultrasonography
Authors: Chen Yulong , Du Jianxia , Sun Xiao , Li Qiancheng , Qin Ming , Xiao Qian , Asiye Gokduman
Published: October 2020

Objective: By exploring and analyzing the evaluation of the short-term outcome of neuroblastoma (NB) in children by fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) imaging and ultrasonography, the detailed values of 18F-FDG PET/CT
imaging and ultrasonography in diagnosing and treating NB in children were discussed. The effectiveness and superiority of the two evaluation methods were verified, providing a theoretical basis for clinical applications. Methods: Child patients with NB diagnosis were included as research
objects. Except for child patients in the IVs stage, other included child patients received the same surgical therapeutic plan. The clinical materials included child patients were collected, such as 18F-FDG PET/CT results, ultrasonography results, and serum neuron specific enolase (NSE) results.
The data information was input into the database and statistically analyzed by SPSS 22.0 software. The specificity as well as sensitivity of 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging, ultrasonography, and serum NSE in the clinical evaluation were comparatively analyzed. The detection rates of 8F-FDG PET/CT imaging,
ultrasonography, as well as other diagnostic ways were comparatively analyzed. Results: Consequently, 10 patients had no recurrence or metastasis of NB; 2 patients had recurrence as well as metastasis of NB but survived, but the remaining 2 patients died eventually. Besides, in terms
of specificity, the NSE detection was the lowest, while the specificity of 18F-FDG PET/CT and ultrasonography was the same, which was 100%. In addition, 18F-FDG PET/CT and NSE were found to be statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The research results showed that
image of the 18F-FDG PET/CT and ultrasonography were useful to diagnosis and treat NB in children, which could effectively predict the survival periods of patients. In certain aspects, these two methods were better than other traditional diagnostic methods. However, traditional diagnostic
methods also had certain advantages. In the future, the clinical diagnosis and treatment of NB should value the joint application of various diagnostic methods to foster the strengths and avoid the weaknesses. The research results have provided the direction and guidance for clinical diagnosis
and treatment of NB in children.