bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of blood‐flow restricted vs heavy‐load strength training on muscle strength: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Grønfeldt Birk Mygind , Lindberg Nielsen Jakob , Mieritz Rune Mygind , Lund Hans , Aagaard Per
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Heavy‐load strength training (HLT) is generally considered the Gold Standard exercise modality for inducing gains in skeletal muscle strength. However, use of heavy external exercise loads may be contraindicative in frail individuals. Low‐load resistance exercise combined with partial blood‐flow restriction (LL‐BFR exercise) may offer an effective alternative for increasing mechanical muscle strength and size. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of LL‐BFR training to HLT on maximal muscle strength gains. Prospero registration‐id (CRD42014013382).

Materials and methods

A systematic search in six healthcare science databases and reference lists was conducted. Data selected for primary analysis consisted of post‐intervention changes in maximal muscle strength. A random‐effects meta‐analysis with standardized mean differences (SMD) was used.

Results

Of 1413 papers identified through systematic search routines, sixteen papers fulfilled the inclusion criteria, totalling 153 participants completing HLT and 157 completing LL‐BFR training. The magnitude of training‐induced gains in maximal muscle strength did not differ between LL‐BFR training and HLT (SMD of −0.17 (95% CI: −0.40; 0.05)). Low between‐study heterogeneity was noted (I2 = 0.0%, Chi2P = 9.65).

Conclusion

Low‐load blood‐flow‐restricted training appears equally effective of producing gains in maximal voluntary muscle strength compared to HLT in 20‐ to 80‐year‐old healthy and habitually active adults.
A Numerical Study of Turbulent Upward Flow of Super Critical Water in a 2 × 2 Rod Bundle With Nonuniform Heating
Authors: Liu Bo , He Shuisheng , Moulinec Charles , Uribe Juan
Published: February 2020

This work is part of a benchmarking exercise organized by an IAEA in supercritical water-cooled reactor (SCWR) thermal-hydraulics aimed at improving the understanding and prediction accuracy of the thermal-hydraulic phenomena relevant to SCWRs. An experiment carried out using a 2 × 2 SCWR bundle at University of Wisconsin-Madison was modeled using an open-source computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code—Code_Saturne. The k–ω shear stress transport (SST) model was used to account for the buoyancy-aided turbulent flow in the fuel channel. Significant heat transfer deterioration (HTD) was observed in the boundary layer, which is commonly expected to occur in buoyancy-aided flows. For comparison, simulations were also conducted using ansysfluent with similar model setups.
Acoustic Radiation, Cavitation Collapses, and Dryout in a Capillary Oscillating Heat Pipe
Authors: Cai Steve Q.
Published: February 2020

In an oscillation heat pipe (OHP), when two-phase flow oscillates to the condensation region, saturated vapor bubbles/slugs are subjected to a sudden temperature reduction or immediate subcooling. Rapid condensation ruptures vapor bubbles and generates cavitation erosions on the tube interior surface. In this article, a thorough study is performed to understand discrepancy of variation tendency between acoustic radiation and OHP temperature difference that both are operating temperature-dependent. On this basis, three temperature zones were identified: (1) low operating temperature zone with strong cavitation collapse and acoustic radiations, (2) optimal temperature zone with the minimum temperature difference and weakening cavitation collapses, and, (3) high-temperature zone where dryout and oscillation failures develop. At the optimal operating temperature, high-frequent oscillations reduce subcooling of two-phase flow, alleviating the impact of cavitation collapses and ceasing acoustic radiations. At high operating temperature, liquid surface tension dramatically reduces and dynamic contact angle significantly increases. Both the factors tend to lower the critical diameter necessary to maintain pressure difference and oscillating two-phase slug flow. When the critical diameter reduces to be less than the OHP tube diameter, liquid slugs are not able to seal the OHP capillary tubes, leading to dryout or insufficient heat and mass transfer.
Will novel virus go pandemic or be contained?
Authors: Kupferschmidt Kai , Cohen Jon
Published: February 2020

Modelers are trying to forecast how the coronavirus will move, but they need better data.
Combo of two HIV vaccines fails its big test
Authors: Cohen Jon
Published: February 2020

South African trial halted early because of "futility."
No hasty solutions for African swine fever
Authors: Gavier-Widén Dolores , Ståhl Karl , Dixon Linda
Published: February 2020

African swine fever vaccines could pose risk of causing disease and spreading the virus further
Room-temperature magnetoelastic coupling
Authors: Zhou Ye , Han Su-Ting
Published: February 2020

Magnetic fields alter the ferroelectric properties of a paramagnetic ytterbium-zinc complex
For science, Brexit isn't done yet
Authors: Wilsdon James
Published: February 2020

If there's one sentiment that papers over the cracks in a once-United Kingdom, it's bone-weariness over Brexit. Wherever one entered the debate back in 2016—on the side of the United Kingdom leaving or remaining in the European Union (EU)—most people simply want an end to the saga, which has spewed uncertainty and paralyzed decision-making for almost 4 years. A pre-Christmas campaign pledge to “get Brexit done” propelled Prime Minister Boris Johnson back into Downing Street with a Conservative dominance of the political landscape unseen since Margaret Thatcher's heyday. One week after its reelection, the government passed the Brexit withdrawal bill, and at midnight on 31 January, the United Kingdom departed. With the democratic die now cast, universities, scientific organizations, and individual researchers must figure out how to constructively engage with Europe. Is there a soft landing for science on the other side of the leap into the dark that has just been taken?
Ethical dilemmas in providing acute medical care at home for children: a survey of health professionals
Authors: Bryant Penelope A
Published: February 2020

Objective

Acute care at home is increasing. We aimed to determine the views of healthcare professionals on the ethics of providing home care and compare the impact of situational changes on their opinions.

Design

An analysis of opinions of home healthcare professionals.

Setting

The Australasian Hospital-in-the-Home Annual Conference, November 2017.

Participants

Eighty physicians, nurses and allied health staff who provide acute care for children and adults at home.

Methods

Clinical scenarios were presented about a 14 years old receiving intravenous antibiotics at home via an established home care pathway, and participants were asked to vote manually on whether providing home care was ethical.

Main outcomes

The proportions of healthcare professionals who believed that provision of home care was ethical in different situations.

Results

For each question the response rate ranged from 71% to 100%. While the provision of acute home care was deemed ethical by the majority (77/80, 96%), this decreased when other factors were involved such as domestic violence (37/63 (59%) OR 0.06, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.20, p<0.001) and parental reluctance (28/67 (42%) OR 0.02, 95% CI 0.008 to 0.09, p<0.001). The age of consent affected the proportion who considered home care ethical against parental wishes: 16 years (48/58, 83%) versus 14 years (33/53, 52%) OR 4.4, 95% CI 1.9 to 10.1, p<0.001. The lowest proportion to consider home care ethical (16%) was when home care was deemed less than hospital care.

Conclusions

Home healthcare providers are supportive of the ethics of providing acute care at home for children, although differ among themselves with situational complexities. Applying the tenets of medical ethics (autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence and justice) can provide insights into the factors that may influence opinions.
Analysis of n-evaporation from light mass nuclei formed via p-induced reactions
Authors: Kaur Amandeep , Sharma Manoj K.
Published: February 2020

This work deals with the decay analysis of three compound nuclei [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] formed in proton-induced reactions [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] at incident beam energies of 1–5 MeV using the Dynamical Cluster-decay Model (DCM). The motive is to explore the decay of compound systems formed via light charged particles as projectiles. The experimentally available data of n-evaporation for the aforementioned systems are addressed by optimizing the neck-length parameter [Formula: see text], using spherical fragmentation approach. The comparative analysis of the decay structure of the chosen systems is carried out at a common incident beam energy [Formula: see text] MeV. The effect of angular momentum [Formula: see text] and quadrupole [Formula: see text]-deformations is explored in reference to the decay structure/fragmentation of compound systems. In addition to this, the sensitivity of DCM-based cross-sections toward level density parameter (LDP) [Formula: see text] is also analyzed. The relative role of mass-dependent level density parameter [Formula: see text] is also investigated for compound systems belonging to light and heavy mass region. Lastly, a theoretical systematics is explored where the proton beam in the reaction [Formula: see text] is replaced by a neutron beam forming the compound system [Formula: see text], having the same [Formula: see text], but [Formula: see text] one less than that of the compound system formed in the reaction using proton beam, and its effect on the decay characteristics such as preformation probability, penetration probability and barrier height is analyzed.
Language identification framework in code-mixed social media text based on quantum LSTM — the word belongs to which language?
Authors: Shekhar Shashi , Sharma Dilip Kumar , Beg M. M. Sufyan
Published: February 2020

Machine learning (ML) architectures based on neural model have garnered considerable attention in the field of language classification. Code-mixing is a common phenomenon on social networking sites for exhibiting opinion on a topic. The code-mixed text is the approach of mixing two or more languages. This paper describes the application of the code-mixed index in Indian social media texts and compares the complexity to identify language at the word level using Bi-directional Long Short-Term Memory model. The major contribution of the work is to propose a technique for identifying the language of Hindi–English code-mixed data used in three social media platforms namely, Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp. Here, we demonstrate that a special class of quantum LSTM network model is capable of learning and accurately predicting the languages used in social media texts. Our work paves the way for future applications of machine learning methods in quantum dynamics without relying on the explicit form of the Hamiltonian.
On Fundamental Principles for Thermal-Aware Design on Periodic Real-Time Multi-Core Systems
Authors: Sha Shi , Bankar Ajinkya S. , Yang Xiaokun , Wen Wujie , Quan Gang
Published: February 2020

With the exponential rise of the transistor count in one chip, the thermal problem has become a pressing issue in computing system design. While there have been extensive methods and techniques published for design optimization with thermal awareness, there is a need for more rigorous and formal thermal analysis in designing real-time systems and applications that demand a strong exception guarantee. In this article, we analytically prove a series of fundamental properties and principles concerning the RC thermal model, peak temperature identification, and peak temperature reduction for periodic real-time systems, which are general enough to be applied on 2D and 3D multi-core platforms. These findings enhance the worst-case temperature predictability in runtime scenarios, as well as help to develop more effective thermal management policy, which is key to thermal-constrained periodic real-time system design.
Physiology of the Endometrium and Regulation of Menstruation
Authors: Critchley Hilary O. D. , Maybin Jacqueline A. , Armstrong Gregory M. , Williams Alistair R. W.
Published: February 2020

The physiological functions of the uterine endometrium (uterine lining) are preparation for implantation, maintenance of pregnancy if implantation occurs, and menstruation in the absence of pregnancy. The endometrium thus plays a pivotal role in reproduction and continuation of our species. Menstruation is a steroid-regulated event, and there are alternatives for a progesterone-primed endometrium, i.e., pregnancy or menstruation. Progesterone withdrawal is the trigger for menstruation. The menstruating endometrium is a physiological example of an injured or “wounded” surface that is required to rapidly repair each month. The physiological events of menstruation and endometrial repair provide an accessible in vivo human model of inflammation and tissue repair. Progress in our understanding of endometrial pathophysiology has been facilitated by modern cellular and molecular discovery tools, along with animal models of simulated menses. Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), including heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB), imposes a massive burden on society, affecting one in four women of reproductive age. Understanding structural and nonstructural causes underpinning AUB is essential to optimize and provide precision in patient management. This is facilitated by careful classification of causes of bleeding. We highlight the crucial need for understanding mechanisms underpinning menstruation and its aberrations. The endometrium is a prime target tissue for selective progesterone receptor modulators (SPRMs). This class of compounds has therapeutic potential for the clinical unmet need of HMB. SPRMs reduce menstrual bleeding by mechanisms still largely unknown. Human menstruation remains a taboo topic, and many questions concerning endometrial physiology that pertain to menstrual bleeding are yet to be answered.
The Single-Vendor Multibuyer Integrated Production-Delivery Model with Production Capacity under Stochastic Lead Time Demand
Authors: Sun Xuefang
Published: February 2020

In this paper, we consider an integrated production-delivery model in which a vendor supplies the same product to multiple buyers. Unlike existing study, in this proposed model, we assume that the sum of all buyers’ demand rates is larger than the vendor’s production rate under normal work, but less than that under overtime. All buyers are independent of each other. For each buyer, the lead time demand is stochastic and the shortage during lead time is permitted. The main objective of this model is to determine the optimal production and delivery policies and the optimal overtime strategy, which minimize the joint expected annual cost of the system. Based on the genetic algorithm, we develop a solution procedure to find the optimal production, delivery, and overtime decision of this model. Computational experiments show the error rate between the objective values obtained by the proposed solution procedure and the solutions solved by the exhaustive method. The results indicate that the proposed mixed genetic algorithm is more effective and adoptable in comparison with the exhaustive method as it can be able to calculate the optimal solutions for at least 96% for the instances. Ultimately, an adequate numerical example is given to show the detailed process of the solution procedure, and sensitivity analysis of main parameters with managerial implication is discussed.
A CEGA-Based Optimization Approach for Integrated Designing of a Unidirectional Guide-Path Network and Scheduling of AGVs
Authors: Xiao Haining , Wu Xing , Zeng Yong , Zhai Jingjing
Published: February 2020

In the current industrial fields, automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) are widely employed to constitute the flexible manufacturing system (FMS), owing to their great advantages of routing flexibility and high efficiency. However, one main challenge lies in the coupling process of the design problem of the unidirectional guide-path network (UGN) and the task scheduling problem of AGVs. To reduce the complexity, most pertinent literatures only handle these problems one by one, based on the stepwise design methods, thereby neglecting the constraint conditions and the optimization objectives caused by the FMS environment. The motivation of the paper is to bring the coupling factors into the integrated design and solution process. Firstly, an integrated design model of designing UGN and scheduling AGVs simultaneously is proposed, with the objective of minimizing the makespan (i.e., the maximum completion time of all handling tasks), in the consideration of the practical constraints, e.g., the job handling and processing sequence constraints and the AGV number constraint. Secondly, a dual-population collaborative evolutionary genetic algorithm (CEGA) is developed to solve the problems of designing and scheduling in a parallel way. The solutions of the integrated model, i.e., the potential strongly connected UGN and the feasible processing and handling sequence, are, respectively, coded as two different subpopulations with independent and concurrent evolution processes. The neighbourhood search operation, the niche technique, and the elitism strategy are combined to improve the convergence speed and maintain the population diversity. The experimental results show that the integrated design model can formulate the problem more accurately, and the CEGA algorithm is computationally efficient with high solution quality.
L‐Arginine Ameliorates High‐Fat Diet‐Induced Atherosclerosis by Downregulating miR‐221
Authors: Zhang Hexi , Wang Li , Peng Fei , Wang Xin , Gong Hui
Published: February 2020

Objectives. Atherosclerosis (AS) is a severe disease in which the inside of an artery narrows because of plaque formation, leading to endothelial injury in the patients. Although it has been found that endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), which produces a low concentration of NO, is necessary for endothelial function and integrity, the regulatory mechanisms of eNOS expression against the pathogenesis and development of AS are unclear. Evidence has indicated that diet supplementation with L‐arginine could reduce the size of the endothelial injury lesions in AS patients. In addition, nonencoding microRNAs (miRNAs) were found to be a promising tool that regulates the expression of eNOS in human endothelial cells. Design. The aim of this research was to explore the role of L‐arginine in the development of AS and the mechanisms by which miR‐221 influences the possible signaling pathways in endothelial cells during AS. Results. The results suggested that L‐arginine could prevent oxidized low‐density lipoprotein‐induced apoptosis in endothelial cells, which is associated with the downregulation of miR‐221. Similar results were also observed in rat AS models. Conclusion. This research could provide potential therapies for the treatment of AS.
A Review on Sex Steroid Hormone Estrogen Receptors in Mammals and Fish
Authors: Amenyogbe Eric , Chen Gang , Wang Zhongliang , Lu Xiaoying , Lin Mingde , Lin Ai Ying
Published: February 2020

Steroid hormones play essential roles in the reproductive biology of vertebrates. Estrogen exercises its effect through estrogen receptors and is not only a female reproductive hormone but acts virtually in all vertebrates, including fish, and is involved in the physiological and pathological states in all males and females. Estrogen has been implicated in mandible conservation and circulatory and central nervous systems as well as the reproductive system. This review intended to understand the structure, function, binding affinities, and activations of estrogens and estrogen receptors and to discuss the understanding of the role of sex steroid hormone estrogen receptors in mammals and fish.
Downy Lavender Oil: A Promising Source of Antimicrobial, Antiobesity, and Anti‐Alzheimer’s Disease Agents
Authors: Ali-Shtayeh Mohammed S. , Abu-Zaitoun Salam Y. , Dudai Nativ , Jamous Rana M.
Published: February 2020

Lavandula pubescens Decne (LP) is one of the three Lavandula species growing wildly in the Dead Sea Valley, Palestine. The products derived from the plant, including the essential oil (EO), have been used in Traditional Arabic Palestinian Herbal Medicine (TAPHM) for centuries as therapeutic agents. The EO is traditionally believed to have sedative, anti‐inflammatory, antiseptic, antidepressive, antiamnesia, and antiobesity properties. This study was therefore aimed to assess the in vitro bioactivities associated with the LP EO. The EO was separated by hydrodistillation from the aerial parts of LP plants and analyzed for its antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticholinesterase, and antilipase activities. GC‐MS was used for phytochemical analysis. The chemical analysis of the EO composition revealed 25 constituents, of which carvacrol (65.27%) was the most abundant. EO exhibited strong antioxidant (IC50 0.16–0.18 μL/mL), antiacetylcholinesterase (IC50 0.9 μL/mL), antibutyrylcholinesterase (IC50 6.82 μL/mL), and antilipase (IC50 1.08 μL/mL) effects. The EO also demonstrated high antibacterial activity with the highest susceptibility observed for Staphylococcus aureus with 95.7% inhibition. The EO was shown to exhibit strong inhibitory activity against Candida albicans (MIC 0.47 μL/mL). The EO was also shown to possess strong antidermatophyte activity against Microsporum canis, Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Epidermophyton floccosum (EC50 0.05–0.06 μL/mL). The high antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory, and antimicrobial potentials of the EO can, therefore, be correlated with its high content of monoterpenes, especially carvacrol, as shown by its comparable bioactivities indicators results. This study provided new insights into the composition and bioactivities of LP EO. Our finding revealed evidence that LP EO makes a valuable natural source of bioactive molecules showing substantial potential as antioxidant, neuroprotective, antihyperlipidemic, and antimicrobial agents. This study demonstrates, for the first time, that LP EO might be useful for further investigation aiming at integrative CAM and clinical applications in the management of dermatophytosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and obesity.
Query Execution Optimization in Spark SQL
Authors: Ji Xuechun , Zhao Maoxian , Zhai Mingyu , Wu Qingxi
Published: February 2020

Spark SQL is a big data processing tool for structured data query and analysis. However, due to the execution of Spark SQL, there are multiple times to write intermediate data to the disk, which reduces the execution efficiency of Spark SQL. Targeting on the existing issues, we design and implement an intermediate data cache layer between the underlying file system and the upper Spark core to reduce the cost of random disk I/O. By using the query pre-analysis module, we can dynamically adjust the capacity of cache layer for different queries. And the allocation module can allocate proper memory for each node in cluster. According to the sharing of the intermediate data in the Spark SQL workflow, this paper proposes a cost-based correlation merging algorithm, which can effectively reduce the cost of reading and writing redundant data. This paper develops the SSO (Spark SQL Optimizer) module and integrates it into the original Spark system to achieve the above functions. This paper compares the query performance with the existing Spark SQL by experiment data generated by TPC-H tool. The experimental results show that the SSO module can effectively improve the query efficiency, reduce the disk I/O cost and make full use of the cluster memory resources.
H‐Type Hypertension Is a Risk Factor for Cerebral Small‐Vessel Disease
Authors: Li Tan , Liu Xueyun , Diao Shanshan , Kong Yan , Duan Xiaoyu , Yang Si , Liu Sanjiao , Fang Qi , Cai Xiuying
Published: February 2020

Background. The correlation between H‐type hypertension and cerebral small‐vessel diseases (CSVD) remains uncertain. Objective. The present study was designed to explore the possible relationship between H‐type hypertension and CSVD spectrum and total burden. Method. We included 329 patients in the present study and divided them into four groups: the H‐type hypertension group, isolated hypertension group, isolated hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) group, and control group. Clinical variables of interest and the MR examination sequences were obtained. We counted the presence of each CSVD feature and rated the total burden of CSVD on an ordinal scale from 0 to 4 according to a recent described score rule. Result. The results showed that H‐type hypertension was associated with the presence of cerebral microbleeds (CMBs), and the severity of white‐matter hyperintensities (WMHs) and peripheral vascular space (PVS). CSVD total burden was significantly related to age (OR: 1.059, 95% CI: 1.037–1.082), systolic pressure (OR: 1.122, 95% CI: 1.007–1.136), triglycerides (OR: 1.386, 95% CI: 1.037–1.854), isolated HHcy (OR: 4.154, 95% CI 1.836–9.401), and H‐type hypertension (OR: 5.028, 95% CI: 2.323–10.883). Also, we further observed hypertension and HHcy had a synergistic effect on CSVD total burden (OR: 2.776, 95% CI: 1.564–4.927). Conclusion. H‐type hypertension was associated with CSVD total burden and CSVD spectrum, which deserves further prevention measures. Furthermore, hypertension and HHcy had a synergistic effect on CSVD total burden.
An Asymptomatic Patient with an Additional Cardiac Chamber Giant Left Atrial Appendage
Authors: Evangeliou Alexandros P. , Sotiroglou Evangelia , Charitakis Nikolaos , Loufopoulos Georgios , Varassas Christos , Papadopoulos Spiridon , Tzikas Stergios , Vassilikos Vassilios
Published: February 2020

We present the case of an asymptomatic 54-year-old male, referred to our department for a follow-up cardiological consultation. Echocardiography assessment showed an unknown cavity adjacent to the lateral wall of the left ventricle. A large left atrial appendage was revealed in further investigations, and the treatment option was proved to be an impasse.
A Young Healthy Male with Spontaneous Subcutaneous Emphysema Occurring in Neck, Retropharyngeal and Mediastinal Spaces
Authors: Malas Moayyad , Fatani Nawaf , Aljuhani Zuhair
Published: February 2020

We present a case of spontaneous cervical, retropharyngeal, and mediastinal emphysema occurring in a previously healthy young male, which is the first described case in Saudi Arabia. The patient was admitted to the ward for observation, monitoring of vital signs, analgesia, and prophylactic antibiotics. The patient was kept under observation for 8 days. During that time, neck pain improved gradually with no episodes of oxygen desaturation or vital sign deterioration. The patient was later discharged with very mild persistent pain. Two weeks after discharge, patient was seen in outpatient clinic and was free of symptoms. Spontaneous subcutaneous emphysema remains a rare presentation encountered in emergency department. The investigations and treatment required for such patients has no consensus between authors. Although most of the reported cases described an uncomplicated course, there is a need for clear guidelines on management protocol.
Choroidal Neovascularization Secondary to Central Serous Chorioretinopathy: OCT Angiography Findings and Risk Factors
Authors: Yeo Joon Hyung , Oh Richul , Kim Yoon Jeon , Kim June-Gone , Yoon Young Hee , Lee Joo Yong
Published: February 2020

Purpose. To identify the clinical characteristics and risk factors for secondary choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). Methods. In this retrospective study, we included a total of 108 eyes in 106 CSC patients. Group A was defined as patients initially diagnosed with CSC who developed secondary CNV, and group B was defined as patients who did not develop secondary CNV. Clinical and demographic characteristics, optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings at CSC diagnosis and OCT angiography (OCTA) at the time of secondary CNV diagnosis, were compared between the groups. Results. Thirty-one eyes had CNV (group A) and 77 eyes did not (group B). The mean age of group A was higher than that of group B (52.28 ± 6.87 vs. 46.78 ± 9.45 years; P<0.001). Although there was no difference in pigment epithelial detachment (PED) height, group A had larger PED width than group B at CSC diagnosis. The foveal and parafoveal choriocapillary flow densities were significantly lower in group A than group B (P=0.027 and P<0.001, respectively). Conclusion. We identified that older age, wider PED width at diagnosis, and recurrent episodes of CSC were independent risk factors for development of secondary CNV. Therefore, patients with these risk factors should be monitored to allow early detection and prompt treatment of secondary CNV.
Syndromic versus Laboratory Diagnosis of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Men in Moshi District of Tanzania
Authors: Cheng Yuwei , Paintsil Elijah , Ghebremichael Musie
Published: February 2020

The syndromic diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is widely recognized as the most practical, feasible, and cost-effective diagnostic tool in resource-limited settings. This study assessed the diagnostic accuracy of syndromic versus laboratory testing of STIs among 794 men randomly selected from the Moshi district of Tanzania. Participants were interviewed with a questionnaire that included questions on history of STIs symptoms. Blood and urine samples were taken from the participants for laboratory testing. Only 7.9% of the men reported any symptoms of STI; however, 46% of them tested positive for at least one STI. There was little agreement between syndromic and laboratory-confirmed diagnoses, with low sensitivity (0.4%–7.4%) and high specificity (96%–100%) observed for each individual symptom. The area under the receiver-operating curve was 0.528 (95% CI: 0.505–0.550), indicating that the syndromic approach has a 52.8% probability of correctly identifying STIs in study participants. In conclusion, whenever possible, laboratory diagnosis of STI should be favored over syndromic diagnosis.
ATP-Citrate Lyase Epigenetically Potentiates Oxidative Phosphorylation to Promote Melanoma Growth and Adaptive Resistance to MAPK Inhibition
Authors: Guo Weinan , Ma Jinyuan , Yang Yuqi , Guo Sen , Zhang Weigang , Zhao Tao , Yi Xiuli , Wang Huina , Wang Shiyu , Liu Yu , Dai Wei , Chen Xuguang , Shi Qiong , Wang Gang , Gao Tianwen , Li Chunying
Published: February 2020

Purpose:

Enhanced lipogenesis and mitochondrial function are two critical metabolic characteristics in melanoma, but their crosstalk involved in tumor biology and targeted therapy remains unknown. ATP-citrate lyase (ACLY) is a crucial lipogenic enzyme that is greatly implicated in tumor development, but its role in mitochondrial function and melanoma pathogenesis has not been elucidated.

Experimental Design:

In vitro and in vivo functional experiments were performed to determine the effect of ACLY on melanoma growth. mRNA expression profile analysis and a panel of biochemical assays were used to investigate the role of ACLY in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and the underlying mechanism. The effect of combined ACLY inhibition on the efficacy of MAPK inhibition therapy was also examined.

Results:

We first found that ACLY expression was increased in melanoma and facilitated cell proliferation and tumor growth both in vitro and in vivo. Subsequent mRNA expression profile analysis and functional studies unveiled that ACLY specifically activated MITF–PGC1α axis to promote mitochondrial biogenesis and melanoma growth. Mechanistically, ACLY enhanced the activity of acetyltransferase P300, increasing the histone acetylation at MITF locus to promote MITF–PGC1α axis transcription. More importantly, the combined inhibition of ACLY sensitized BRAF-mutant melanoma to MAPK inhibition by suppressing MITF–PGC1α axis.

Conclusions:

We demonstrate that ACLY epigenetically potentiates oxidative phosphorylation to promote melanoma growth and MAPK inhibition adaptive resistance. Our study discovers the novel crosstalk between lipogenesis and mitochondrial function in tumor biology and highlights targeting ACLY as a potent therapeutic approach via simultaneously impairing tumor growth and MAPK inhibition resistance in melanoma.
Ximenynic Acid Regulation of n-3 PUFA Content in Liver and Brain
Authors: Cai Fang , Liu Yandi , Hettiarachichi Dhanushka S. , Wang Fenglei , Li Jie , Sunderland Bruce , Li Duo
Published: February 2020

Background/Aims: Ximenynic acid is a rare conjugated enyne fatty acid found primarily in plants in the Santalaceae family. It has been reported that sandalwood seed oil (SWSO) affects fatty acid metabolism in animal studies; however, the effects of pure ximenynic acid remain unclear. The present study aimed to study the impact of SWSO and ximenynic acid on n-3 fatty acid metabolism in the liver and brain. Methods: Thirty C57BL/6 male mice aged 4 weeks were fed SWSO (1.0 mL/20 g bodyweight), olive oil (OO), or a combination of SWSO and OO (n = 10/group) for 8 weeks. Liver and brain fatty acid compositions were determined using gas chromatography. HepG2 cells were treated with up to 150 μM ximenynic acid and oleic acid for 48–72 h. The expression and abundance of genes and proteins relevant to n-3 fatty acid metabolism pathways were investigated. Results: The intake of SWSO in mice elevated the levels of total n-3 fatty acids and decreased total n-9 fatty acids in the liver (p < 0.05) compared with the OO group. In contrast, total n-3 fatty acids were significantly decreased in the brain (p < 0.05). HepG2 cells treated with ximenynic acid for 48 h showed significant reductions in n-9 fatty acids and docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6n-3) (p < 0.05) compared with HepG2 cells treated with oleic acid. In HepG2 cells, stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) and fatty acid desaturase 2 (FADS2) gene expression, as well as FADS2 protein expression, were significantly down-regulated after a 72-h incubation with 150 μM of ximenynic acid compared with the vehicle (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Ximenynic acid may regulate fatty acid metabolism by suppressing the expression of key enzymes of lipid metabolism. In contrast, SWSO, which has a high level of C18:3n-3, positively affected n-3 fatty acid synthesis in mouse liver compared to pure ximenynic acid. We hypothesize that a high level of precursor C18:3n-3 in SWSO promotes the endogenous synthesis of C22:6n-3 despite the presence of ximenynic acid.
Immediate Ansa Cervicalis-to-Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Anastomosis for the Management of Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Infiltration by a Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Wang Wei , Liu Fei , Zhang Caiyun , Li Meng , Chen Shicai , Gao Yingna , Chen Mengjie , Zheng Hongliang
Published: February 2020

Objectives: The optimal surgical approach to treat recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) infiltration by differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) remains a subject of debate. This study explored the feasibility and efficiency of immediate ansa cervicalis nerve (ACN)-to-RLN anastomosis for the management of RLN infiltration by DTC. Material and Methods: Fifty-three patients who underwent immediate ACN-to-RLN anastomosis during DTC extirpation were enrolled in the present study. Thirty-seven cases presented with unilateral vocal cord paralysis before the operation (Group A), and another 16 patients presented with normal vocal cord mobility preoperatively (Group B). Multidimensional assessments, videostroboscopy, voice assessment, and laryngeal electromyography (LEMG) were performed preoperatively and postoperatively. Results: All videostroboscopy, voice assessment and LEMG parameters in Group A deteriorated 1 month after the operation and improved 1 year after the operation compared with preoperative data. In Group B, all parameters 1 year after the operation improved significantly compared with the corresponding parameters 1 month after the operation. LEMG in Group A and B provided substantial evidence for the maturation of neural regeneration from ACN and demonstrated that the laryngeal muscles were reinnervated successfully by this procedure. Conclusions: If the RLN is infiltrated by DTC, immediate ACN-to-RLN anastomosis during complete excision of DTC could restore satisfactory phonatory function and does not compromise oncological radicality.
Translation of Digital Health Technologies to Advance Precision Medicine: Informing Regulatory Science
Authors: Adamo Joan E. , Bienvenu II Robert V. , Dolz Felipe , Liebman Michael , Nilsen Wendy , Steele Scott J.
Published: February 2020

The proliferation of digital technologies and the application of sophisticated data analysis techniques are increasingly viewed as having the potential to transform translational research and precision medicine. While digital technologies are rapidly applied in innovative ways to develop new diagnostics and therapies, the ultimate approval and adoption of these emerging methods presents several scientific and regulatory challenges. To better understand and address these regulatory science gaps, a working group of the Clinical and Translational Science Awards Program convened the Regulatory Science to Advance Precision Medicine Forum focused on digital health, particularly examining gaps in the use, validation, and interpretation of data from sensors that collect and tools that analyze digital biomarkers. The key findings and recommendations provided here emerged from the Forum and include the need to enhance areas related to data standards, data quality and validity, knowledge management, and building trust between all stakeholders.
Sclerosing Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma of the Lacrimal Gland: A Potentially New Primary Entity
Authors: Jakobiec Frederick A. , Reshef Edith R. , Ma Lina , Selig Martin K. , Lefebvre Daniel R. , Stagner Anna M.
Published: February 2020

An 88-year-old man presented with diplopia, limitation of extraocular movements, and a firm palpable mass in the superolateral orbit. Biopsy revealed a sclerosing signet ring cell carcinoma with histopathologic features mimicking those of a primary signet ring cell (histiocytoid) carcinoma of the eyelid of eccrine or apocrine gland origin, a metastasis from an invasive lobular breast carcinoma or a metastatic diffuse-type gastric carcinoma. An extensive panel of immunohistochemical stains and molecular genetic analyses unequivocally failed to establish a precise diagnosis. Electron microscopy demonstrated features of a primary lacrimal gland lesion with intracytoplasmic lumens and zymogen granules typical of lacrimal secretory pyramidal cells. A thorough initial systemic work-up failed to reveal a primary visceral malignancy. Fifteen months of follow-up have failed to detect the emergence of another primary malignancy. To the best of our knowledge, a tumor with the morphology of the current lesion has not been previously described in the major or accessory lacrimal glands.
Lexical Retention in Contact Grammaticalisation: Already In Southeast Asian Englishes
Authors: Ziegeler Debra , Lee Sarah
Published: February 2020

Amongst the problems of contact grammaticalisation research in past studies has been, first, the problem of searching for diachronic evidence in relatively ‘new’ language situations, something which was advocated by Bruyn (2009), amongst others as essential to contact grammaticalisation research. Because of the absence of stage-by-stage diachronic evidence for contact grammaticalisation, many cases of ordinary contact-induced grammaticalisation may at first appear as simply calques (polysemy-copying in Heine & Kuteva 2005). The present study reveals the presence of lexical persistence in the age-graded distribution of the perfective marker already in Singaporean and Malaysian English, and demonstrates that even ordinary contact-induced grammaticalisation may be gradual if it is mediated by constraints from the lexifier source material. The study also questions the hypothesis of Total Systemic Transfer of the Chinese perfective aspectual system in Singapore English (Bao, 2001; 2005; 2015), and suggests an extended function for the Lexifier Filter in contact.
An Introduction to the Stone Age Archaeology of the Polihali Dam Area, Mokhotlong District, Lesotho
Authors: Forssman Tim , Lotter Matt , Parkington John , Hollmann Jeremy , Angel Jessica , Fourie Wouter
Published: February 2020

Much of Lesotho’s cultural heritage has been studied as a result of dam developments. Where dams have been built, heritage studies have provided crucial data for improving our understanding of local archaeological sequences. Ahead of the construction of the Lesotho Highland Development Authority’s (LHDA) new Polihali Dam in Lesotho’s Mokhotlong District and following the recommendations of a heritage assessment (CES 2014), a large-scale five-year cultural heritage management program was launched in 2018 that seeks to excavate and mitigate a number of heritage sites. Here, we provide the background to one of southern Africa’s largest heritage mitigation contracts by contextualising the current research program. We then present the archaeology of Lesotho’s eastern highlands basalt region using data collected during the inception phase of this program. The findings challenge current preconceived notions about the sparsity of archaeological remains for this region.
A new species of Cephalanticoma (Enoplida: Anticomidae) from Brazilian coast (Atlantic Ocean), with emended diagnosis and dichotomous key to the genus
Authors: MANOEL ALEX , ESTEVES ANDRÉ M. , MARIA TATIANA F.
Published: February 2020

A new species of the genus Cephalanticoma is described for the Atlantic Ocean in the Potiguar Basin off the continental shelf of northeast Brazil. Cephalanticoma rugatusa sp. n. is characterized by bearing head capsule ending on the level of amphideal fovea, a tubular precloacal supplement and two rows of thin precloacal setae. Cephalanticoma rugatusa sp. n. differs from all other species of the genus by having a precloacal cuticular papilla in front of the cloaca and a cuticular transversal wrinkle which extends from the papilla elevation to the conical-cylindrical portion of the tail occupying both subventral regions. An emended diagnosis and a dichotomous key to species based on both genders are provided.
A new genus and species of xanthoid crab (Decapoda: Brachyura) from offshore hard bank habitats in the Gulf of Mexico
Authors: THOMA BRENT P. , FELDER DARRYL L.
Published: February 2020

Speciose populations of small xanthoid crabs on offshore banks and reefs of the northern Gulf of Mexico include a new species that is not assignable to presently named genera. Morphological diagnoses of the new genus and species are underpinned by previously published gene sequence analyses, originally misattributed to another species but now known to apply to this taxon. Herein named Guinope tiara n. gen., n. sp., the species shows molecular phylogenetic affinities with the family Linnaeoxanthidae Števčić, 2005, an ally of panopeid and pseudorhombilid crabs. Specimens from Occulina banks off the Florida Atlantic coast, previously regarded to represent Garthiope barbadensis (Rathbun, 1921), are not that species but instead morphologically assignable to Guinope n. gen. Whether they represent variants of Guinope tiara n. gen, n. sp. or a second species of the genus awaits the collection of fresh materials for DNA analyses.
Characterization of Snowfall Rates, Totals, and Snow-to-Liquid Ratios in Electrified Snowfall Events Identified by the Geostationary Lightning Mapper
Authors: Harkema Sebastian S. , Berndt Emily B. , Schultz Christopher J.
Published: February 2020

It has been theorized that thundersnow (TSSN) occurs in conjunction with heavy snowfall rates and in geographical regions where heavy-banded snow occurs more frequently. This study aims to objectively and quantitatively identify characteristics associated with TSSN to improve the situational awareness of heavy snowfall and associated hazards. The Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM), National Environmental Satellite Data and Information Services (NESDIS) merged Snowfall Rate (mSFR) product, and surface observations were utilized to characterize snowfall accumulation, snow-to-liquid ratio (SLR) values, and radar characteristics of heavy snowfall events from a GLM perspective. When at least 2 in. of snowfall accumulation occurred, areas with TSSN flashes identified by the thundersnow detection algorithm (TDA) were likely to receive, on average, a total of 24.5 cm (9.6 in.) of snowfall. TSSN was more likely to occur in snowfall rates less than 2.54 cm h−1 (1 in. h−1) and be associated with snow-to-liquid ratio (SLR) values between 8:1 and 10:1. It was determined that TSSN flashes observed by GLM occurred in isothermal reflectivity values less than 30 dBZ and average spatial offsets of 131 km between the lightning flash location and the heaviest snowfall rates were observed. GLM flashes in proximity of National Lightning Detection Network cloud-to-ground flashes and tall structures were found to be statistically different (p < 0.05) regarding snowfall rates, SLR values, and various Multi-Radar Multi-Sensor variables compared to other TSSN flashes. It was inferred that tower TSSN flashes, on median, were more likely to initiate within light-to-moderately rimed snowfall. Last, a heavy snowfall event was analyzed to demonstrate the capability of these products in identifying storm characteristics associated with TSSN.
Principal Component Regression for Forensic Age Determination Using the Raman Spectra of Teeth
Authors: Osmani Aziz , Par Matej , Škrabić Marko , Vodanović Marin , Gamulin Ozren
Published: February 2020

Raman spectra of mineralized tooth tissues were used to build a principal component regression (PCR) age determination model for forensic application. A sample of 71 teeth was obtained from donors aging from 11 to 76 years. No particular selection criteria were applied; teeth affected with various pathological processes were deliberately included to simulate a realistic forensic scenario. In order to comply with the nondestructive specimen handling, Raman spectra were collected from tooth surfaces without any previous preparation. Different tooth tissues were evaluated by collecting the spectra from three distinct sites: tooth crown, tooth neck, and root apex. Whole recorded spectra (3500–200 cm−1) were used for principal component analysis and building of the age determination model using PCR. The predictive capabilities of the obtained age determination models varied according to the spectra collection site. Optimal age determination was attained by using Raman spectra collected from cementum at root apex (R2 values of 0.84 and 0.71 for male and female donors, respectively). For optimal performance of that model, male and female donors had to be analyzed separately, as merging both genders into a single model considerably diminished its predictive capability (R2 = 0.29).