bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Delineating functional segregations of the human middle temporal gyrus with resting‐state functional connectivity and coactivation patterns
Authors: Xu Jinping , Lyu Hanqing , Li Tian , Xu Ziyun , Fu Xianjun , Jia Fucang , Wang Jiaojian , Hu Qingmao
Published: August 2019

Although the middle temporal gyrus (MTG) has been parcellated into subregions with distinguished anatomical connectivity patterns, whether the structural topography of MTG can inform functional segregations of this area remains largely unknown. Accumulating evidence suggests that the brain's underlying organization and function can be directly and effectively delineated with resting‐state functional connectivity (RSFC) by identifying putative functional boundaries between cortical areas. Here, RSFC profiles were used to explore functional segregations of the MTG and defined four subregions from anterior to posterior in two independent datasets, which showed a similar pattern with MTG parcellation scheme obtained using anatomical connectivity. The functional segregations of MTG were further supported by whole brain RSFC, coactivation, and specific RFSC, and coactivation mapping. Furthermore, the fingerprint with predefined 10 networks and functional characterizations of each subregion using meta‐analysis also identified functional distinction between subregions. The specific connectivity analysis and functional characterization indicated that the bilateral most anterior subregions mainly participated in social cognition and semantic processing; the ventral middle subregions were involved in social cognition in left hemisphere and auditory processing in right hemisphere; the bilateral ventro‐posterior subregions participated in action observation, whereas the left subregion was also involved in semantic processing; both of the dorsal subregions in superior temporal sulcus were involved in language, social cognition, and auditory processing. Taken together, our findings demonstrated MTG sharing similar structural and functional topographies and provide more detailed information about the functional organization of the MTG, which may facilitate future clinical and cognitive research on this area.
Thermal performance of an MHD radiative Oldroyd‐B nanofluid by utilizing generalized models for heat and mass fluxes in the presence of bioconvective gyrotactic microorganisms and variable thermal conductivity
Authors: Sohail Muhammad , Naz Rahila , Bilal Sardar
Published: August 2019

The current paper analyzes the thermal and concentration attributes with the temperature‐dependent mass diffusion coefficient and thermal conductivity for the flow of an Oldroyd‐B nanoliquid over a stretchable configuration using the Buongiorno model under the application of boundary layers. The mechanisms of heat and mass transport are modeled by using the revised definitions of heat and mass fluxes. Mathematical expressions for the conservation laws are transformed into ordinary differential expressions by making the appropriate changes. The resulting complexly structured expressions are handled via an optimal homotopy procedure. The impact of influential variables on the desired solutions is plotted, tabulated, and discussed in detail. Comparative analysis of the thermal wall flux coefficient, concentration flux coefficient, density magnitude of the motile microorganisms, and reduced dimensionless stresses with already published research as a limiting case of this exploration is presented for the validity of the proposed scheme, and an excellent agreement is observed, which confirms the reliability of the homotopic solution.
Estimating adjuvant treatment effects in Stage II colon cancer: Comparing the synthesis of randomized clinical trial data to real‐world data
Authors: Jongeneel Gabrielle , Klausch Thomas , van Erning Felice N. , Vink Geraldine R. , Koopman Miriam , Punt Cornelis J.A. , Greuter Marjolein J.E. , Coupé Veerle M.H.
Published: August 2019

There is an ongoing discussion regarding the impact of adjuvant chemotherapy in Stage II colon cancer. We therefore estimated adjuvant treatment effect in Stage II colon cancer using pooled disease‐free survival (DFS) data from randomized clinical trials (RCT approach) and compared this to real‐world data (RWD approach) estimates. First, we estimated the treatment effect in RCTs by (i) searching relevant trials reporting DFS data, (ii) generating patient‐level data from reported DFS data and (iii) estimating treatment effect in the patient‐level data. Second, the treatment effect was estimated in an observational cohort of 1,947 patients provided by the Netherlands Cancer Registry using three propensity score methods; matching, weighting and stratification. In the RCT approach, patient‐level data of 4,489 patients (events: 853) were generated from seven trials which compared two of the following treatment arms: control, 5FU/LV or FOLFOX. A Cox model was used to estimate a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.77 (0.43;1.10) for 5FU/LV vs. control and 0.93 (0.72;1.15) for FOLFOX vs. 5FU/LV. In the RWD approach, HRs for any adjuvant treatment vs. control were 0.95 (0.50;1.80), 0.88 (0.24;3.21) and 1.05 (0.04;2.06) using matching, weighting and stratification, respectively. There was no significant difference with the estimates from the RCT approach (interaction test, p > 0.10). The RCT data suggest a clinically relevant benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy in terms of DFS, but the estimate did not reach statistical significance. Stratified analyses are required to evaluate whether treatment effect differs in specific subgroups.
Lay counselors: Thoughts on the crossing of ecological frameworks and the use of lay counselors in the scale up of early infant mental health interventions
Authors: Bain Katherine , Landman Mireille , Frost Katherine , Raphael‐Leff Joan , Baradon Tessa
Published: August 2019

The recent call for the scale‐up of evidence‐based early childhood development interventions, in lower and middle‐income countries and for minority groups in high‐income countries, has seen numerous suggestions to train greater numbers of lay mental health workers to fulfill these functions. While studies have found that concepts from developed country settings, such as attachment, parental sensitivity, and containment, find purchase and relevance within developing settings, the management of contextual and cultural factors and the tensions of cultural interfacing in the rollout of these programs in developing country settings require consideration. Drawing on the experiences of two successful South African mother–infant home‐visiting programs as examples, this article discusses some of the challenges in provision of attachment‐based infant mental health programs and highlights the need for careful consideration of a number of factors pertaining to the recruitment, supervision, and management of lay mental health workers before large‐scale rollout is conducted.
Fluorinated diiodine alkanes exert developmental toxicity on embryo‐larval stages of zebrafish strain AB via regulating the expression of the specific endocrine‐related genes
Authors: Lu Liang , Chang Jia , Chang Yan , Ma Jing
Published: August 2019

Fluorinated diiodine alkanes (FDIAs) are environmental pollutants, including octafluoro‐1,4‐diiodobutane (PFBDI), hexadecafluoro‐1,8‐diiodooctane (PFODI) and dodecafluoro‐1,6‐diiodohexane (PFHxDI). They showed an estrogenic effect in in vitro studies. However, little information is currently available regarding the toxicity of FDIAs in in vivo studies. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a vertebrate animal model that is increasingly used for toxicity and efficacy screening as well as for assessing the toxicity and safety of novel compounds, pollutants and pharmaceuticals. In the present study, we investigated the developmental toxicity of FDIAs (PFBDI, PFHxDI and PFODI) and the specific endocrine‐related gene expression in zebrafish embryos. The results revealed that all three FDIAs showed developmental toxicity on zebrafish embryos. The half‐maximal effective concentration values for PFBDI, PFHxDI and PFODI were 0.89 ± 0.07, 0.53 ± 0.04 and 0.04 ± 0.007 mm, respectively. PFHxDI exhibited the highest developmental toxicity compared with the other FDIAs. In addition, all three FDIAs significantly upregulated the expression of estrogen receptor (esr)1 and cytochrome P450 (CYP) 19b (CYP19b), but did not significantly affect the expression of esr2b, CYP17 and CYP19a in zebrafish. The upregulation effect of PFHxDI was greater than the effect of PFBDI and PFODI. This study furthers our knowledge on the effects of FDIAs on the developmental toxicity and the specific endocrine‐related gene expression in the embryo‐larval stages of zebrafish. Our results provided a preliminary insight into the toxicity of FDIAs in zebrafish, which will be of great relevance regarding future studies on FDIAs in the environment.
Investigation of an equity ethic in engineering and computing doctoral students
Authors: Naphan‐Kingery Dara E. , Miles Monica , Brockman Amanda , McKane Rachel , Botchway Portia , McGee Ebony
Published: August 2019

Background

Research shows that engineering and computing students who are marginalized by race and/or gender and experience social suffering often wish to challenge social inequities through their vocation, an attribute we refer to as an equity ethic. This study explores how doctoral engineering and computing students develop this attribute even when they do not directly experience social suffering.

Purpose/Hypothesis

We explored the relationship between (a) doctoral engineering and computing students' experiences with social suffering and their development of an equity ethic and (b) their equity ethic and career interests.

Design/Method

We present a thematic analysis of the transcripts of in‐depth, semistructured interviews with 18 engineering and computing PhD students, coding for experiences with social suffering, degree of equity ethic, and their career interests.

Results

Students with an equity ethic who aspired to reduce inequities within their disciplines personally experienced or witnessed social suffering within and outside academia. Students with “high potential” for developing this attribute who aspired to help others with their disciplines acknowledged social suffering. While both those with an equity ethic and those with high potential saw inequities as socially caused, those with an equity ethic reported more impactful experiences with social suffering, resulting in greater empathy and responsibility to respond. Several students described neither altruistic nor social justice concerns (students with low potential) and did not experience social suffering directly or indirectly. Those with an equity ethic or high potential often showed interest in academia.

Conclusions

Most participants expressed concerns for helping others in their occupations. This result suggests a nascent equity ethic that could be cultivated through intentional programmatic efforts.
Efficacy and suitable indication of colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection using a balloon‐assisted endoscope
Authors: Kuroki Yuichiro , Asonuma Kunio , Uehara Natsumi , Endo Toshiyuki , Suzuki Reika , Yamamoto Yorimasa , Nagahama Masatsugu
Published: August 2019

Background and Aim

Cases of colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) with poor maneuverability are often encountered. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of balloon‐assisted endoscopy (BAE) for such cases.

Methods

We confirmed maneuverability preoperatively in 400 consecutive cases of colorectal ESD performed at a single center from April 2011 to April 2018. A total of 83 deep colon cases judged as having poor maneuverability were retrospectively reviewed; 54 cases underwent BAE with a single balloon endoscope (group B), and 29 cases underwent conventional procedures without BAE (group C). Tumor size, procedure duration, dissection speed, en bloc resection rate, histology, and associated complications were compared between groups.

Results

The mean tumor size, tumor invasiveness, fibrosis, and complications did not differ between groups. Although the en bloc resection rate did not differ (both 98%), the groups significantly differed with regard to the R0 resection rate (B: 96%; C: 83%; P = 0.048). Overall, the procedure duration (B: 51 min; C: 70 min; P = 0.17) and dissection speed (B: 19.4 mm2/min; C: 17.4 mm2/min; P = 0.13) were not significantly different between groups. However, the dissection speed for lesions in the cecum/ascending colon was significantly faster in group B than in group C (B: 22.3 mm2/min; C: 11.3 mm2/min; P = 0.037).

Conclusions

In cases of colorectal ESD with poor maneuverability, the use of BAE contributed to an improvement in the R0 resection rate. In addition, BAE contributed to a quicker dissection speed for lesions located in the cecum/ascending colon.
Sequential Intramolecular Diels–Alder Reaction of 3‐Heteroaryl‐2‐propenylamides of Ethenetricarboxylate
Authors: Sugiura Hirotaka , Yamazaki Shoko , Ogawa Akiya
Published: August 2019

The reaction of 1,1,2‐ethenetricarboxylic acid 1,1‐diethyl ester with E‐3‐(2‐furyl)‐2‐propenylamines under the amide condensation conditions (EDCI/HOBt/Et3N) on heating at 80–110°C afforded cis‐fused tricyclic compounds, furo[2,3‐f]isoindoles as major product. On the other hand, the reaction with E‐3‐(3‐furyl)‐2‐propenylamines afforded trans‐fused tricyclic compounds predominantly. The formation of amide/[4 + 2] cycloaddition/hydrogen‐shift reactions proceed sequentially. The observed stereoselectivity of the fused rings has been investigated by the density functional theory calculations. The reaction of 1,1,2‐ethenetricarboxylic acid 1,1‐diethyl ester with 3‐(3‐pyridinyl)‐2‐propen‐1‐amine under the amide condensation conditions afforded HOBt‐incorporated 3,4‐trans‐pyrrolidine selectively. The chemoselectivity and stereoselectivity of the reactions with (3‐heteroaryl)‐2‐propen‐1‐amines depend on the nature of heteroarenes.
Mortality from suicide among people living with HIV and the general Swiss population: 1988‐2017
Authors: Ruffieux Yann , Lemsalu Liis , Aebi‐Popp Karoline , Calmy Alexandra , Cavassini Matthias , Fux Christoph A , Günthard Huldrych F , Marzolini Catia , Scherrer Alexandra , Vernazza Pietro , Keiser Olivia , Egger Matthias ,   the Swiss HIV Cohort Study and the Swiss National Cohort
Published: August 2019

Introduction

In many countries, mortality due to suicide is higher among people living with HIV than in the general population. We aimed to analyse trends in suicide mortality before and after the introduction of triple combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), and to identify risk factors associated with death from suicide in Switzerland.

Methods

We analysed data from the Swiss HIV Cohort Study from the pre‐cART (1988‐1995), earlier cART (1996‐2008) and later cART (2009‐2017) eras. We used multivariable Cox regression to assess risk factors for death due to suicide in the ART era and computed standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) to compare mortality rates due to suicide among persons living with HIV with the general population living in Switzerland, using data from the Swiss National Cohort.

Results and Discussion

We included 20,136 persons living with HIV, of whom 204 (1.0%) died by suicide. In men, SMRs for suicide declined from 12.9 (95% CI 10.4‐16.0) in the pre‐cART era to 2.4 (95% CI 1.2‐5.1) in the earlier cART and 3.1 (95% CI 2.3‐4.3) in the later cART era. In women, the corresponding ratios declined from 14.2 (95% CI 7.9‐25.7) to 10.2 (3.8‐27.1) and to 3.3 (95% CI 1.5‐7.4). Factors associated with death due to suicide included gender (adjusted hazard ratio 0.58 (95% CI 0.38‐0.87) comparing women with men), nationality (1.95 (95% CI 1.34‐2.83) comparing Swiss with other), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention clinical stage (0.33 (95% CI 0.24‐0.46) comparing stage A with C), transmission group (2.64 (95% CI 1.71‐4.09) for injection drug use and 2.10 (95% CI 1.36‐3.24) for sex between men compared to other), and mental health (2.32 (95% CI 1.71‐3.14) for a history of psychiatric treatment vs. no history). There was no association with age.

Conclusions

Suicide rates have decreased substantially among people living with HIV in the last three decades but have remained about three times higher than in the general population since the introduction of cART. Continued emphasis on suicide prevention among men and women living with HIV is important.
School Administrative Internships: Reconciling Learned Knowledge with Applied Practice
Authors: Sutton Michael F.
Published: August 2019

Internships in school administration provide a unique channel through which theory from course content can be applied within leadership opportunities. Due to their dual status as both current students pursuing advanced degrees and practicing administrators offering assistance in public schools, interns often offer a fresh perspective on various school matters and can serve as valuable partners in furthering the educational purpose of the public school and the university. Through their graduate coursework and field experiences, aided by burgeoning professional relationships in their internship sites, leader‐learners in this scenario have at their disposal a wealth of practical and theoretical knowledge pertaining to the field of education and are able to use such information to their advantage as they learn how to navigate the challenges of school administration. However, these benefits of hands‐on, on‐site learning do not come without tribulations, as these interns must assess the extent to which any potential change that they initiate, particularly with regard to issues of social justice, mesh, or conflict with the interests of existing leaders within the school and district. The current article highlights these matters as told through the eyes of an administrative intern completing a year‐long, full‐time internship in a public school following two semesters of full‐time masters level school administration coursework, and aims to answer the following questions: How can interns effectively apply course content theory, especially issues pertaining to equity, to their leadership practice within a school if the content itself clashes with the school's priorities and programming? How does this dynamic promote or hinder the ability of the intern to lead for social justice?
Colobine forestomach anatomy and diet
Authors: Matsuda Ikki , Chapman Colin A. , Clauss Marcus
Published: August 2019

Colobine monkeys have complex, multichambered, foregut‐fermenting stomachs with either three (“tripartite”) or four (“quadripartite,” adding the praesaccus) chambers where a commensal microbiome digests plant cell walls and possibly detoxifies defensive plant chemicals. Although different potential functions for the praesaccus have been suggested, little evidence exists to support any of the proposed functions. To address the issue of the function of the praesaccus, we collated literature data on diet and compared tripartite and quadripartite species. Our results suggest that the praesaccus is an adaptation to a dietary niche with a particularly high reliance on leaves as fallback foods in colobine clades with quadripartite stomachs, and a higher reliance on fruits/seeds as foods at times of high fruit availability in clades with tripartite stomachs. This supports the notion that a large gut capacity is an important characteristic by which folivores survive on a high fiber diet, and that this large gut capacity may not be necessary for some species if there are seasonal peaks in fruit availability.
Role of the non‐hypervariable FR3 D‐E loop in single‐domain antibody recognition of haptens and carbohydrates
Authors: Henry Kevin A. , Hussack Greg , Kumaran Jyothi , Gilbert Michel , MacKenzie C. Roger , Sulea Traian , Arbabi‐Ghahroudi Mehdi
Published: August 2019

Single‐domain antibodies (sdAbs), the variable domains of camelid heavy chain‐only antibodies, are generally thought to poorly recognize nonproteinaceous small molecules and carbohydrates in comparison with conventional antibodies. However, the structures of anti‐methotrexate, anti‐triclocarban and anti‐cortisol sdAbs revealed unexpected contributions of the non‐hypervariable “CDR4” loop, formed between β‐strands D and E of framework region 3, in binding. Here, we investigated the potential role of CDR4 in sdAb binding to a hapten, 15‐acetyl‐deoxynivalenol (15‐AcDON), and to carbohydrates. We constructed and panned a phage‐displayed library in which CDR4 of the 15‐AcDON‐specific sdAb, NAT‐267, was extended and randomized. From this library, we identified one sdAb, MA‐232, bearing a 14‐residue insertion in CDR4 and showing improved binding to 15‐AcDON by ELISA and surface plasmon resonance. On the basis of these results, we constructed a second set of phage‐displayed libraries in which the CDR4 and other regions of three hapten‐ or carbohydrate‐binding sdAbs were diversified. With the goal of identifying sdAbs with novel glycan‐binding specificities, we panned the library against four tumor‐associated carbohydrate antigens but were unable to enrich binding phages. Thus, we conclude that while CDR4 may play a role in binding of some rare hapten‐specific sdAbs, diversifying this region through molecular engineering is probably not a general solution to sdAb carbohydrate recognition in the absence of a paired VL domain.
Glymphatic imaging using MRI
Authors: Taoka Toshiaki , Naganawa Shinji
Published: August 2019

In recent years, the existence of a mass transport system in the brain via cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or interstitial fluid (ISF) has been suggested by many studies. The glymphatic system is hypothesized to be a waste clearance system of the CSF through the perivascular and interstitial spaces in the brain. Tracer studies have primarily been used to visualize or evaluate the waste clearance system in the brain, and evidence for this system has accumulated. The initial study that identified the glymphatic system was an in vivo tracer study in mice. In that study, fluorescent tracers were injected into the cisterna magna and visualized by two‐photon microscopy. MRI has also been used to evaluate glymphatic function primarily with gadolinium‐based contrast agents (GBCAs) as tracers. A number of GBCA studies evaluating glymphatic function have been conducted using either intrathecal or intravenous injections. Stable isotopes, such as 17O‐labeled water, may also be used as tracers since they can be detected by MRI. In addition to tracer studies, several other approaches have been used to evaluate ISF dynamics within the brain, including diffusion imaging. Phase contrast evaluation is a powerful method for visualizing flow within the CSF space. In order to evaluate the movement of water within tissue, diffusion‐weighted MRI represents another promising technique, and several studies have utilized diffusion techniques for the evaluation of the glymphatic system. This review will discuss the findings of these diffusion studies.

Level of Evidence: 5

Technical Efficacy: Stage 3

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;51:11–24.
Genetic variants of alcohol‐metabolizing enzymes in Brugada syndrome: Insights into syncope after drinking alcohol
Authors: Wu Qi , Hayashi Hideki , Hira Daiki , Sonoda Keiko , Ueshima Satoshi , Ohno Seiko , Makiyama Takeru , Terada Tomohiro , Katsura Toshiya , Miura Katsuyuki , Horie Minoru
Published: August 2019

Background

Patients with Brugada syndrome (BrS) are known to have arrhythmic events after alcohol drinking and are recommended to avoid its excessive intake. Mechanisms underlying the alcohol‐induced cardiac events are however unknown. This study aimed to test the hypothesis whether activity of alcohol‐metabolizing enzymes determines fatal arrhythmic events after drinking alcohol.

Methods

A total of 198 Japanese patients with BrS were enrolled in this study. These patients were classified into symptomatic (n = 90) and asymptomatic (n = 108) groups. The former was divided into an alcohol‐related group (syncope after alcohol drinking, n = 16) and an alcohol‐unrelated group (n = 74). Polymerase chain reaction was performed to determine genetic variants of genes encoding alcohol dehydrogenase 1B (ADH1B) and aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2).

Results

The genotype distribution for ALDH2 was not significantly different between symptomatic and asymptomatic groups and between alcohol‐related and alcohol‐unrelated groups. The genotype distribution for ADH1B was not significantly different between symptomatic and asymptomatic groups, but the genotype ADH1B His/His was significantly more prevalent in the alcohol‐related group than in the alcohol‐unrelated group (81.3% vs 50%, P = .023). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the genotype of ADH1B His/His was independently associated with syncope after alcohol drinking (odds ratio, 5.746; 95% confidence interval, 1.580‐28.421; P = .007).

Conclusions

Arrhythmic events after alcohol drinking was associated with enhanced activity of alcohol‐metabolizing enzyme ADH1B in our cohort of BrS. Therefore, the lifestyle change to avoid the excessive alcohol intake deserves attention.
[18F]‐Sodium Fluoride PET/MR Imaging for Bone–Cartilage Interactions in Hip Osteoarthritis: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Tibrewala Radhika , Bahroos Emma , Mehrabian Hatef , Foreman Sarah C. , Link Thomas M. , Pedoia Valentina , Majumdar Sharmila
Published: August 2019

This study characterized the distribution of [18F]‐sodium fluoride (NaF) uptake and blood flow in the femur and acetabulum in hip osteoarthritis (OA) patients to find associations between bone remodeling and cartilage composition in the presence of morphological abnormalities using simultaneous positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MR), quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and femur shape modeling. Ten patients underwent a [18F]‐NaF PET/MR dynamic scan of the hip simultaneously with: (i) fast spin‐echo CUBE for morphology grading and (ii) T1ρ/T2 magnetization‐prepared angle‐modulated partitioned k‐space spoiled gradient echo snapshots for cartilage, bone segmentation, bone shape modeling, and T1ρ/T2 quantification. The standardized uptake values (SUVs) and Patlak kinetic parameter (Kpat) were calculated for each patient as PET outcomes, using an automated post‐processing pipeline. Shape modeling was performed to extract the variations in bone shapes in the patients. Pearson's correlation coefficients were used to study the associations between bone shapes, PET outcomes, and patient reported pain. Direct associations between quantitative MR and PET evidence of bone remodeling were established in the acetabulum and femur. Associations of shaft thickness with SUV in the femur (p = 0.07) and Kpat in the acetabulum (p = 0.02), cam deformity with acetabular score (p = 0.09), osteophytic growth on the femur head with Kpat (p = 0.01) were observed. Pain had increased correlations with SUV in the acetabulum (p = 0.14) and femur (p = 0.09) when shaft thickness was accounted for. This study demonstrated the ability of [18F]‐NaF PET‐MRI, 3D shape modeling, and quantitative MRI to investigate cartilage‐bone interactions and bone shape features in hip OA, providing potential investigative tools to diagnose OA. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of Orthopaedic Research® published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Orthopaedic Research Society J Orthop Res 37:2671–2680, 2019
Results of Surgical and Medical Rehabilitation for Adult Patients With Type III Intestinal Failure in a Comprehensive Unit Today: Building a New Model to Predict Parenteral Nutrition Independency
Authors: Gondolesi Gabriel E. , Doeyo Mariana , Echevarria Lic Constanza , Lobos Fernando , Rubio Santiago , Rumbo Carolina , Ramisch Diego , Crivelli Adriana , Schelotto Pablo Barros , Solar Hector
Published: August 2019

Background

Short‐bowel syndrome remains the primary cause of intestinal failure (IF) in adult patients. We aim to report the long‐term results of medical and surgical rehabilitation in a cohort of patients with type III IF (III‐IF) and develop a formula to predict parenteral nutrition (PN) independency.

Methods

We used a retrospective analysis of a prospective database for III‐IF patients undergoing autologous gastrointestinal reconstruction surgery (AGIRS) from March 2006 to August 2018. Analyzed variables included demographic data, postsurgical intestinal length (PSIL), postsurgical anatomy, teduglutide (TED) treatment, and PN volume reduction. Univariate analysis, Cox regression, logistic regression forward stepwise models, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were done using SPSS v20.

Results

AGIRS was performed in 88 patients. The most frequent anatomy at first visit was type 1. Prevailing anatomy after surgery was type 3. Eight patients started TED; 6 achieved freedom from PN. At a mean follow‐up time of 1606.1 ± 1190.25 days, freedom from PN survival was achieved in 83%. Variables identified at the logistic regression analysis led to a novel formula to predict intestinal rehabilitation, including PSIL, presence of ileocecal valve, and use of TED as part of postsurgical treatment.

Conclusions

AGIRS in this group of patients enabled intestinal length increase and also intestinal anatomy conversion into a more favorable type for intestinal rehabilitation. TED treatment was useful to discontinue PN in patients with classical negative anatomical predictors. The novel predicting formula has an ROC area under the curve = 0.82. Further studies are necessary to validate this formula.
Enteral Autonomy and Days Off Parenteral Support With Teduglutide Treatment for Short Bowel Syndrome in the STEPS Trials
Authors: Seidner Douglas L. , Gabe Simon M. , Lee Hak‐Myung , Olivier Clément , Jeppesen Palle Bekker
Published: August 2019

Background

Teduglutide response, in terms of parenteral support (PS) volume reduction, is associated with specific disease characteristics among adults with short bowel syndrome–associated intestinal failure (SBS‐IF). Whether these associations apply to PS weaning with teduglutide is unknown.

Methods

Adults with SBS‐IF treated with teduglutide in the phase III STEPS study and open‐label extensions STEPS‐2 and STEPS‐3 were included in the analysis. Patients required PS ≥ 3 times weekly for ≥ 12 months at enrollment. The study population was stratified 3 times to create 3 distinct analysis populations based on bowel anatomy, etiology, and baseline PS volume. Outcomes included characteristics of patients who achieved PS independence and total and percentage of patients who had ≥ 1, ≥ 2, and ≥ 3 d/wk off PS at the end of STEPS, STEPS‐2, and STEPS‐3.

Results

Eight of 39 patients who received teduglutide in STEPS obtained PS independence during the STEPS study series. Patients required > 6 months of teduglutide treatment before enteral autonomy was achieved, regardless of underlying disease characteristics. Patients who attained PS independence and greater numbers of days per week off PS tended to have lower baseline PS volumes and noninflammatory bowel disease (non‐IBD) etiology. Patients with ≥ 50% colon‐in‐continuity showed a trend for achieving greater numbers of days per week off PS.

Conclusion

Although this analysis was limited by low patient numbers, results suggest that SBS‐IF characteristics of lower baseline PS volume and non‐IBD etiology were associated with PS reduction benefits with teduglutide in terms of days off per week and enteral autonomy.
Parameters of Bioelectrical Impedance Are Good Predictors of Nutrition Risk, Length of Stay, and Mortality in Critically Ill Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Razzera Elisa Loch , Marcadenti Aline , Rovedder Susane Worlfarth , Alves Fernanda Donner , Fink Jaqueline da Silva , Silva Flávia Moraes
Published: August 2019

Background

Assessment of nutrition risk in the intensive care unit (ICU) is limited by characteristics of critically ill patients, and new methods have been investigated for their applicability and predictive validity. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the validity of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) parameters as predictors of nutrition risk and clinical outcomes in critically ill patients.

Methods

This was a prospective cohort study of patients admitted to an ICU. The modified Nutrition Risk in the Critically Ill score was used for assessment of nutrition risk, and BIA was performed in the first 72 hours of admission. Phase angle (PA) measurements were obtained, and bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) was used to classify patients by hydration status (BIVA >70%). Patients were followed until hospital discharge and evaluated for hospital mortality, ICU length of stay, length of hospitalization, and duration of mechanical ventilation.

Results

Eighty‐nine patients were included (62.5 ± 14.1 years, 50.6% female). A PA <5.5o showed an accuracy of 79% (95% CI 0.59‐0.83) in identifying patients at high nutrition risk and was associated with nearly 2 times greater risk for an ICU length of stay longer than 5 days (relative risk = 2.18 [95% CI 1.39‐3.40]). Hyperhydration was a significant predictor of mortality (hazard ratio = 2.24 [95% CI 1.07‐4.68]). Higher resistance and reactance values, adjusted for height, were found in survivors compared with nonsurvivors.

Conclusion

The predictive validity of BIA was satisfactory for the assessment of nutrition risk, ICU length of stay, and mortality in critically ill patients.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Diagnostic Usefulness of Ultrasound Measurement of the Median Nerve Area and Quantitative Elastographic Measurement of the Median Nerve Stiffness
Authors: Moran Luz , Royuela Ana , de Vargas Alberto Perez , Lopez Ana , Cepeda Yamilet , Martinelli Gianluca
Published: August 2019

Objectives

To correlate the ultrasound (US) measurements of the median nerve cross‐sectional area (CSA) and the measurements of its stiffness by shear wave elastography (SWE) with the severity grade of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) using electrodiagnostic testing (EDT) and to determine the cutoff points for CSA and SWE measurements to allow us to discriminate patients with moderate and severe CTS from those with mild or negative EDT findings.

Methods

Seventy‐three patients with 105 hands with a clinical suspicion of CTS were studied with US and SWE. We measured the median nerve CSA and elasticity (E) at the tunnel inlet (CSAu and Eu), in the quadratus pronator (CSAo and Eo), and the differences (CSAu – CSAo and Eu – Eo).

Results

The nerve area and stiffness increased according to the EDT severity of CTS; the CSA increased proportionally as CTS increased from negative to severe according to EDT, and the stiffness was not different between patients with negative and mild EDT findings but was higher in patients with moderate and severe EDT findings versus negative and mild EDT findings. The cutoff points of a CSAu of 14 mm2 or greater and an Eu – Eo of 57 kPa or greater together allowed the discrimination of moderate and severe CTS from the rest.

Conclusions

The joint use of US and SWE is an alternative to EDT in the clinical management and treatment of patients with a clinical suspicion of CTS.
Lab‐on‐a‐chip for hydrogen sulphide detection—Part I: Sulphide separation from plasma sample
Authors: Baniya Ashok , Thapa Suvhashis , Borquist Eric , Bailey Davis , Wood Deborah , Glawe John , Kevil Chris , Weiss Leland
Published: August 2019

Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) has emerged as an important signalling molecules due to its unique physiological and pathophysiological role in biological systems. H2S can be used as a biomarker for various diseases such as inflammation, cancer, cardiovascular, neurological and gastrointestinal disease. In this work, we report H2S chip which is designed for separation of all pools of H2S from plasma samples. The chip has been designed, fabricated and characterized. It operates with liberation, separation and trapping of H2S from plasma introduced to the chip.

It consists of three distinct layers of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) structures which were bonded using 3M™ Transfer Tape. The releasing layer provides reaction surface for the liberation of H2S from the plasma sample. Releasing buffers allow release of various pools of H2S, including free, acid‐labile and total sulphide. A silicone membrane is sandwiched between releasing and trapping layer. It worked as a H2S selective membrane where gas diffusion takes place from the releasing layer to the trapping layer. The trapping layer is H2S collection chamber. The full‐chip performance was successfully characterized by derivatization of sulphide with excess MBB and analysing fluorescent product, sulphide dibimane (SDB) using the reverse‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography (RP‐HPLC) and fluorescence detection with eclipse XDB‐C18 column. The sulphide transfer data showed 40% free sulphide, 38% acid‐labile and 10% total sulphide transfer happens at 15 min. Performance of the chip was attributed to buffer, chip bonding technique and a silicon membrane that allows selective diffusion of hydrogen sulphide.
California county embarks on new MH spending plan with unspent MHSA funds
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: August 2019

Sacramento County officials in California have embarked on a new plan to address homelessness and to, among other things, expand existing programs for adults and children with mental health disorders. The mental health delivery and treatment system facilitated by unspent Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) funding, also known as Prop. 63, will focus on implementing programs under community services and supports (CSS), prevention and early intervention (PEI) and innovation programs.
Born This Way Foundation joins MHA's ‘Be Kind’ campaign
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: August 2019

Mental Health America (MHA) announced Aug. 14 that Lady Gaga's Born This Way Foundation joined the advocacy group for its second annual 21 Days to Be Kind Challenge to encourage young people, families and teachers to build habits that foster kindness and promote the strength and wellness of their communities, according to an MHA news release.
Superficial inferior epigastric artery‐supercharged deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap‐based breast reconstruction for a thin patient: A case report
Authors: Suh Young Chul , Ahn Ma Rhip , Kim Seong Yeon , Kim Young Jin , Lee Jung Ho
Published: August 2019

Although a bipedicled deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap is widely accepted for slim patients with large breasts, we suggest DIEP flap‐based breast reconstruction in which the superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) is supercharged to the branch of thoracodorsal vessel as an alternative, which has not previously been well described. We report the case of a 48‐year‐old breast cancer patient who had a normal body mass index of 23.01 and relatively thin abdominal tissue, with large and ptotic (grade II ptosis) breasts. The mastectomy specimen weighed ~890 g, and the harvested abdominal tissue weighed ~700 g with a size of 32 × 12 cm2. The elliptical‐shaped flap was inset with a 90° counterclockwise rotation, and the lower one‐third of the flap was folded to create a projection. Perfusion of flap was augmented by microvascular anastomosis between the contralateral SIEA and the serratus branch of a thoracodorsal vessel. With a supercharged DIEP flap, nearly the whole lower abdominal tissue (696 g, 99.4% of the elevated flap) could be transferred to obtain a symmetric contour, and there were no complications such as vascular obstruction, flap necrosis, and delayed wound healing during the postoperative course. Using the SIEA pedicle for contralateral abdominal perfusion with elongated branch of the thoracodorsal vessel, aesthetic inset and contouring of the reconstructed breast could be technically enhanced. The DIEP flap with the contralateral SIEA supercharged to the serratus branch of thoracodorsal vessel may be a feasible option for large ptotic breast reconstruction in thin patients.
Low Methoxyl Pectin Protects against Autoimmune Diabetes and Associated Caecal Dysfunction
Authors: Wu Chengfei , Pan Li‐Long , Luo Yang , Niu Wenying , Fang Xin , Liang Wenjie , Li Jiahong , Li Hongli , Pan Xiaohua , Yang Guilian , Chen Wei , Zhang Hao , Lakey Jonathan R. T. , Agerberth Birgitta , de Vos Paul , Sun Jia
Published: August 2019

Scope

This study aims to examine the protective effects of specific low‐methoxyl pectin (LMP) on the development of type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Methods and results

Female non‐obese diabetic (NOD) mice are weaned onto either control or 5% LMP supplemented diets for up to 22 weeks of age. T1D incidence, gut barrier function, and pancreatic‐gut immune responses are analyzed. LMP supplementation significantly dampened the onset of T1D in NOD mice. LMP supplementation induces caecal homeostasis, as indicated by the increasing SCFAs production, higher expression of tight junction proteins claudin 1, zonula occludens‐2 in caecum. Furthermore, LMP‐mediated caecal homeostasis impacts gut‐pancreatic immunity, as evidenced by increased regulatory T cell population, modulated inflammatory cytokine expression, and suppressed NOD like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation in both caecum and pancreas.

Conclusion

The data demonstrate that LMP limits T1D development by inducing caecal homeostasis to shape pancreatic immune environment, providing a scientific basis for using LMP as a novel functional supplementation to intervene T1D.
A dynamic clutter interference suppression method for multiple static human targets detection using ultra‐wideband radar
Authors: Xue Huijun , Liu Miao , Lv Hao , Jiao Teng , Li Zhao , Qi Fugui , Wang Pengfei , Wang Jianqi , Zhang Yang
Published: August 2019

Postdisaster search and rescue is an important application of ultra‐wideband radar system, which mainly detects survivors by their respiratory‐motion response. In the application of detecting multiple human targets, owing to faint amplitude of human chest movement and high attenuation of electromagnetic wave, the motionless living human targets cannot be discriminated accurately, especially in a complex rescue condition with dynamic clutter interference. In this article, on account of the significant difference of frequency components between the echo signal of tested target and that of illusive target produced by dynamic clutter, an algorithm based on wavelet entropy is proposed. Compared with the reference algorithms of adaptive line enhancement and energy accumulation, the wavelet entropy can accurately detect multiple human targets under the condition of dynamic clutter interference, even though the human targets stand far away locate in the shadowing region caused by the closer one.
Inference of in situ stress from thermoporoelastic borehole breakouts based on artificial neural network
Authors: Zhang Hua , Yin Shunde
Published: August 2019

The determination of in situ stresses is very important in petroleum engineering. Hydraulic fracturing is a widely accepted technique for the determination of in situ stresses nowadays. Unfortunately, the hydraulic fracturing test is time‐consuming and expensive. Taking advantage of the shape of borehole breakouts measured from widely available caliper and image logs to determine in situ stress in petroleum engineering is highly attractive. By finite element modeling of borehole breakouts considering thermoporoelasticity, the authors simulate the process of borehole breakouts in terms of initiation, development, and stabilization under Mogi‐Coulomb criterion and end up with the shape of borehole breakouts. Artificial neural network provides such a tool to establish the relationship between in situ stress and shape of borehole breakouts, which can be used to determine in situ stress based on different shape of borehole breakouts by inverse analysis. In this paper, two steps are taken to determine in situ stress by inverse analysis. First, sets of finite element modeling provide sets of data on in situ stress and borehole breakout measures considering the influence of drilling fluid temperature and pore pressure, which will be used to train an artificial neural network that can eventually represent the relationship between the in situ stress and borehole breakout measures. Second, for a given measure of borehole breakouts in a certain drilling fluid temperature, the trained artificial neural network will be used to predict the corresponding in situ stress. Results of numerical experiments show that the inverse analysis based on finite element modeling of borehole breakouts and artificial neural network is a promising method to determine in situ stress.
Rapid microwave‐assisted Porter method for determination of proanthocyanidins
Authors: Yin Mengyu , Yang Zihui , Min Ke , Yang Qinglan , Ma Ming , Chen Bo
Published: August 2019

Introduction

Proanthocyanidins have been widely developed and utilised in food, medicine, health care products and cosmetics. Porter‐high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is a quantitative method often utilised in many fields. This method uses a water bath to reflux the proanthocyanidins, but the process is cumbersome, the reagent consumption is large, and multiple batches of simultaneous treatments cannot be evaluated.

Objective

To establish a more convenient, rapid and high‐batch processing method for determining the content of proanthocyanidins in functional food by HPLC.

Methods

N‐Butanol–hydrochloric acid and iron salt are used as the reaction medium in the Porter method. After investigating the optimal conditions, the hydrolysis of proanthocyanidins can be performed in a microwave reactor at a power of 640 W for 75 s in the Porter reaction system. The content of proanthocyanidins was determined by HPLC with external standards.

Results

After the rapid pretreatment of samples, proanthocyanidins were determined by HPLC with a diode array detector at a detection wavelength of 525 nm with 0.53 μg/mL and 1.61 μg/mL limits of detection and quantification, respectively, for proanthocyanidin ions, and the linearity was 0.9999. Intra‐ and inter‐day relative standard deviation values were between 1.5% and 3.1%, and the recovery was between 91.40% and 107.43% for the determination of different products, such as capsules, tablets and tea, which were similar to the values obtained with the conventional Porter method.

Conclusion

This method is a time‐saving and low cost approach for quantitative analysis of various proanthocyanidin health products that offers the advantages of high‐batch processing and environmental friendliness.
Plasma‐immersion ion implantation: A path to lower the annealing temperature of implanted boron emitters and simplify PERT solar cell processing
Authors: Lanterne Adeline , Desrues Thibaut , Lorfeuvre Coralie , Coig Marianne , Torregrosa Frank , Milési Frédéric , Roux Laurent , Dubois Sébastien
Published: August 2019

Ion implantation is a suitable and promising solution for the massive industrialization of boron doping, which is a crucial process step for most next‐generation solar cells based on crystalline silicon (c‐Si). However, the use of ion implantation for boron doping is limited by the high temperature (in the 1050°C range) of the subsequent activation anneal, which is essential to dissolve the boron clusters and reach a high‐emitter quality. In this work, we propose the use of plasma‐immersion ion implantation (PIII) from B2H6 gas precursor instead of the standard beamline ion implantation (BLII) technique to decrease this temperature down to 950°C. PIII and BLII boron emitters were compared with annealing temperatures ranging from 950°C to 1050°C. Contrary to BLII, no degradation of the emitter quality was observed with PIII implants annealed at 950°C along with a full activation of the dopants in the emitter. At 1000°C, emitter saturation current densities (J0e) below 21 fA/cm2 were obtained using the PIII technique regardless of the tested implantation doses for sheet resistances between 110 and 160 Ω/sq. After metallization steps, the metal/emitter contact resistances were assessed, indicating that these emitters were compatible with a conventional metallization by screen‐printing/firing. The PIII boron emitters' performances were further tested with their integration in n‐type passivated emitter rear totally diffused (PERT) solar cells fully doped by PIII. Promising results already show a conversion efficiency of 20.8% using a lower annealing temperature than with BLII and a reduced production cost.