bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low Back Pain as a Risk Factor for Recurrent Falls in People With Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Iijima Hirotaka , Shimoura Kanako , Aoyama Tomoki , Takahashi Masaki
Published: January 2020

Objective

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) has been suggested to increase the risk of falls. Low back pain (LBP) is a potential risk factor for falls in people with knee OA, but this issue has not been addressed adequately in previous studies. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between LBP and falls in people with knee OA in a 12‐month period.

Methods

Participants with knee OA (Kellgren/Lawrence [K/L] grade ≥1) completed questionnaires for LBP and falls that occurred in the preceding 12 months. Binary and ordinal logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the relationship between LBP or moderate‐to‐severe LBP (numeric rating scale ≥4 points) and any fall (≥1 fall) or recurrent falls (≥2 falls) after adjustment for age, sex, K/L grade, knee pain severity, and quadriceps strength. Sensitivity analyses were performed excluding people with sciatica, nonchronic LBP, K/L grade 1, and those receiving pain medications.

Results

We included 189 participants (ages 61–90 years, 78.3% women) in this study. Of these participants, 41 (21.6%) reported falls in the preceding 12 months. People with any LBP (n = 101) and those with moderate‐to‐severe LBP (n = 45) had 2.7‐ and 3.7‐times higher odds of recurrent falls, respectively. Sensitivity analyses revealed a strong correlation between moderate‐to‐severe LBP and recurrent falls.

Conclusion

Thorough investigation of LBP as a risk factor for recurrent falls in people with knee OA may provide a novel insight into the pathomechanics of recurrent falls in this population.
Hybrid Erythrocyte Liposomes: Functionalized Red Blood Cell Membranes for Molecule Encapsulation
Authors: Himbert Sebastian , Blacker Matthew J. , Kihm Alexander , Pauli Quinn , Khondker Adree , Yang Kevin , Sinjari Sheilan , Johnson Mitchell , Juhasz Janos , Wagner Christian , Stöver Harald D. H. , Rheinstädter Maikel C.
Published: January 2020

The modification of erythrocyte membrane properties provides a new tool towards improved drug delivery and biomedical applications. The fabrication of hybrid erythrocyte liposomes is presented by doping red blood cell membranes with synthetic lipid molecules of different classes (PC, PS, PG) and different degrees of saturation (14:0, 16:0–18:1). The respective solubility limits are determined, and material properties of the hybrid liposomes are studied by a combination of X‐ray diffraction, epi‐fluorescent microscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), Zeta potential, UV‐vis spectroscopy, and Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations. Membrane thickness and lipid orientation can be tuned through the addition of phosphatidylcholine lipids. The hybrid membranes can be fluorescently labelled by incorporating Texas‐red DHPE, and their charge modified by incorporating phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylglycerol. By using fluorescein labeled dextran as an example, it is demonstrated that small molecules can be encapsulated into these hybrid liposomes.
Ultrahigh Speed and Broadband Few‐Layer MoTe2/Si 2D–3D Heterojunction‐Based Photodiodes Fabricated by Pulsed Laser Deposition
Authors: Lu Zhijian , Xu Yan , Yu Yongqiang , Xu Kewei , Mao Jie , Xu Gaobin , Ma Yuanming , Wu Di , Jie Jiansheng
Published: January 2020

2D transition metal dichalcogenides are promising candidates for high‐performance photodetectors. However, the relatively low response speed as well as the complex transfer process hinders their wide applications. Herein, for the first time, the fabrication of a few‐layer MoTe2/Si 2D–3D vertical heterojunction for high‐speed and broadband photodiodes by a pulsed laser deposition technique is reported. Owing to the high junction quality, ultrathin MoTe2 film thickness, and unique vertical n–n heterojunction structure, the photodiode exhibits excellent device performance in terms of a high responsivity of 0.19 A W−1 and a large detectivity of 6.8 × 1013 Jones. The device is also capable of detecting a broadband light with wavelength spanning from 300 to 1800 nm. More importantly, the device possesses an ultrahigh response speed up to 150 ns with a 3‐dB electrical bandwidth approaching 0.12 GHz. This work paves the way toward the fabrication of novel 2D–3D heterojunctions for high‐performance, ultrafast photodetectors.
Dynamic optimization for gas blending in pipeline networks with gas interchangeability control
Authors: Liu Kai , Kazi Saif R. , Biegler Lorenz T. , Zhang Bingjian , Chen Qinglin
Published: January 2020

The increasing penetration of unconventional gas and liquefied natural gas poses an operational challenge on existing regional gas networks for gas quality problems. A new dynamic model for natural gas pipeline network with multiple supplies is presented with a special emphasis on gas interchangeability control. Wobbe index serves as gas interchangeability indicator and is calculated by equations derived from rigorous composition‐based partial differential equations. Disjunctive formulation is applied to represent different modes of gas blending due to gas reversal, and the disjunctive model is then reformulated as a nonsmooth model with min/max and absolute value functions, which is solved by a gradient‐based nonlinear program solver after smooth approximation. Moreover, a heuristic algorithm is proposed to tune the penalty parameters in order to focus on different penalty terms while keeping the model well‐conditioned. The developed model and strategy are first tested with a small pipeline network model and then extended to a large model. The results show that the model can effectively manage gas interchangeability issues in pipeline networks within reasonable CPU time.
Parents' Demand for Sugar Sweetened Beverages for Their Pre‐School Children: Evidence from a Stated‐Preference Experiment
Authors: Yang Ou , Sivey Peter , de Silva Andrea M. , Scott Anthony
Published: January 2020

Consumption of sugar sweetened beverages exhibits strong associations with weight gain, obesity, and dental caries, especially in young children. The aim of this article is to estimate price elasticities for parents' sugar‐sweetened beverages consumption choices with respect to their pre‐school children and to estimate elasticities with respect to nutritional attribute labels across sugar‐sweetened beverages. Our results show that 1% increase in the price of fizzy drink, juice and cordial would reduce pre‐school children's consumption of each drink by 0.80%, 0.51%, and 0.34% respectively. Such price effects on children's consumption do not substantially differ between high and low‐income respondents but the effect on the children's Fizzy Drink consumption is significantly larger for respondents from large households than those from small households and are significantly lower than the price effects on the consumption of the rest of the family for Juice and Cordial. The marginal effects of demand with respect to nutritional attribute labels of sugar‐sweetened beverages matter for Juice and Cordial, and are strongest for low‐income families; however, these effects do not substantially differ between large and small‐household respondents.
Meaningful Engagement in Research: Community Residents as Co‐creators of Knowledge
Authors: Suarez‐Balcazar Yolanda
Published: January 2020

Highlights

CBPR strategies for meaningful engagement in research

Need to address health disparities experienced by Latinx immigrants through meaningful engagement in research

Populations experiencing marginalization as co‐creators of knowledge
Transition‐Metal‐Free Radical C−H Methylation of Quinoxalinones with TBHP
Authors: Rong Xiaona , Jin Liujun , Gu Yugui , Liang Guang , Xia Qinqin
Published: January 2020

A highly efficient and generally applicable iodine‐mediated C−H methylation of quinoxalinones by using TBHP as the methylating reagent was developed. The methodology has the advantages of a metal‐free strategy, easy to handle reagents and functional group tolerance. Tentative mechanistic studies suggest that this reaction is likely to involve a radical process.
Synthesis method‐dependent photothermal effects of colloidal solutions of platinum nanoparticles used in photothermal anticancer therapy
Authors: Depciuch J. , Stec M. , Maximenko A. , Drzymała E. , Pawlyta M. , Baran J. , Parlinska‐Wojtan M.
Published: January 2020

One of the most common anticancer therapies is photothermal therapy (PTT). The effectiveness of PTT depends on the photosensitizer being a molecule which is toxic for the cancer cells after electromagnetic wave irradiation. Therefore, a simulation of PTT was performed in this work on two colon cancer cells (SW480 and SW620) using platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs). Interestingly, in the literature the dependence between the synthesis method and the photothermal properties of Pt NPs was not discussed. Consequently, in this paper, we evaluated the photothermal properties of Pt NPs synthesized by two different methods: polyol (PtI NPs) and green chemistry (PtII NPs). Scanning transmission electron microscopy revealed that the size of both Pt NPs obtained was 2 nm, the NPs were not agglomerated, and that the PtII NPs were distributed on green tea supports. The selected area electron diffraction and X‐ray diffraction analysis confirmed the crystallinity of both types of Pt NPs. Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum of the PtII NPs showed interactions between the NPs and stretching modes for C=O groups from flavonoids and polyphenols. Therefore, these chemical compounds could be responsible for reducing Pt4+ ions to Pt0. Moreover, the 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐5‐(3‐carboxymethoxyphenyl)‐2‐(4‐sulfophenyl)‐2H‐tetrazolium (MTS) assay showed that the PtII NPs exhibited 10% and 20% better cytotoxicity effect on SW480 and SW620 cells, than PtI NPs. The viability of cancer cells decreased when Pt NPs were used in PTT. The highest percentage of dead cells (82%) was observed for PtII NPs and 650‐nm laser irradiation. FTIR and Raman spectroscopy showed structural changes induced by both Pt NPs and laser irradiation of cells in the range corresponding to levels of DNA, phospholipids, proteins, and lipids. Moreover, the calculated photothermal conversion efficiency showed that the value of this parameter is around 35%, regardless of the synthesis method and used wavelengths.
Performance and reaction mechanism for low‐temperature NOx catalytic synergistic Hg0 oxidation of catalytic polyphenylene sulfide filter materials
Authors: Li Tao , Liu Meng , Duan Yufeng , Li Yinsheng , Na Li , Chen Cong , Zhengkang Luo
Published: January 2020

An in situ method (ISM), impregnation calcination method, and coating method were proposed to prepare catalytic polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) filter materials, and the low‐temperature catalytic activities for nitrogen oxides (NOx) and Hg0 were investigated in fixed bed system. Furthermore, the surface morphology characteristics, crystalline structure, and NOx interaction mechanisms were studied by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray, Fourier transform infrared, temperature‐programmed desorption (TPD), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results showed that the maximum NOx and Hg0 conversions decreased in the sequence of Mn‐Ce‐Fe‐Co‐Ox/PPS@ ISM> Mn‐Ce‐Fe‐Co‐Ox/PPS@ impregnation calcination method > Mn‐Ce‐Fe‐Co‐Ox/PPS@ coating method. The best catalyst reduced 84.6% NOx and oxidized 93.2% Hg0 at 170°C. NO obviously affected the conversions through a homogeneous reaction. As the reaction temperature was increased from 120 to 170°C, NOx and Hg0 conversions increased significantly but decreased from 170 to 300°C. In addition, the maximum oxidation activity of NO to NO2 on Mn‐Ce‐Fe‐Co‐Ox/PPS@ ISM was 8.6% at 170°C. NO‐TPD and Hg‐TPD respectively indicated that NOx was mainly stored by nitrite/nitrate and NO2, and HgO/Hg2(NO3)2 and HgSO4 were the thermal stable forms of mercury presented in PPS catalyst after reaction in simulated selective catalytic reduction flue gases. The microstructure characterizations of scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X‐ray and Fourier transform infrared results suggested that the active metal oxides were uniformly supported on the PPS surface as the proportion of the catalyst preparation process. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra results indicated that Mn, Ce, Fe, and Co mainly existed in the form of Mn4+, Ce4+, Fe3+, and Co3+, respectively, which had the best catalytic activity to achieve flue gas NOx and mercury removal. The reaction mechanisms were further discussed on the basis of the results.
Preparation of high 1,2‐orientation butadiene‐styrene copolymer by coordination copolymerization with molybdenum‐based catalytic system
Authors: Li Di , Liu Kai , Tang Jian , Cui Zixu , Hua Jing
Published: January 2020

In this study, with Mo‐based catalytic systems consisting of molybdenum pentachloride (MoCl5) as the main catalyst, alkyl aluminum as the cocatalyst and organophosphorus compound as the ligand, high 1,2‐orientation butadiene (Bd)‐styrene (St) copolymers were prepared by the coordination polymerization. The effects of phosphorous ligand, alkyl aluminum, polymerization temperature, polymerization time and monomers feed ratios on the monomer conversion and intrinsic viscosity of copolymers were explored in detail. The experimental results indicated that with MoCl5•TBP (tributyl phosphate)/Al(OPhCH3)(i‐Bu)2 as the catalytic system to initiate Bd‐St copolymerization, the reactivity ratios of butadiene and styrene monomers are 3.64 and 0.16, and the 1,2‐structural content in the resulting copolymers is over 80%, regarded as high 1,2‐orientation Bd‐St copolymers. All these results provided a basis for the design of catalyst used to prepare high 1,2‐orientation Bd‐St rubber. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48897.
Screening of potential biomarkers for Yin‐deficiency‐heat syndrome based on UHPLC–MS method and the mechanism of Zhibai Dihuang granule therapeutic effect
Authors: Yi Wen‐Jing , Chen Jing , Li Zhi‐Bin , Jiang Ting‐Ting , Bi De‐Qing , Liu Chang‐Ming , Yang Su , Hu Yu‐Ting , Gan Lin , Tu Hui‐Hui , Huang Huai , Li Ji‐Cheng
Published: January 2020

Background

Yin‐deficiency‐heat (YDH) syndrome is a subhealth state of the individual, mainly manifested as oral ulcers, dry mouth, constipation, and other symptoms. Zhibai Dihuang granule (ZDG), as a classic traditional Chinese medicine, is effective in treating YDH syndrome. We screened the potential biomarkers for diagnosing YDH syndrome, and explored the mechanisms of the therapeutic effect of ZDG.

Methods

Plasma samples from the Pinghe (PH, healthy control) group, the Shanghuo (SH, YDH syndrome) group, and the ZDG treated group (therapeutic group) were analyzed by using metabolomics profiling. The data were analyzed by multivariate statistical and bioinformatics analyses.

Results

We screened four differential metabolites such as, decanoylcarnitine, dodecanoylcarnitine, phosphatidylcholine (PC), and Aspartate (Asp) Arginine (Arg) Proline (Pro) in the SH group and the PH group. The results showed that the combination of above four metabolites could serve as a potential biomarker for the early diagnosis of YDH syndrome. The metabolites decanoylcarnitine and glucose were found to be differentially expressed in the YDH syndrome group and tended to be normalized after ZDG treatment.

Conclusion

The increased levels of four differential metabolites (decanoylcarnitine, dodecanoylcarnitine, PC, and Asp Arg Pro) revealed that individuals with YDH syndrome may have increased energy metabolism in the body, which could lead to disorders of fatty acids β‐oxidation and immune function. The levels of two differential metabolites including decanoylcarnitine and glucose returned to normal after ZDG treatment, indicating that ZDG could treat YDH syndrome by regulating glucose metabolism and fatty acids β‐oxidation. Our study provides a new method for the diagnosis of YDH syndrome, and may provide theoretical basis for novel therapeutic strategies of YDH syndrome.
Review on the systems biology research of Yin‐deficiency‐heat syndrome in traditional Chinese medicine
Authors: Jiang Ting‐Ting , Li Ji‐Cheng
Published: January 2020

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is a systematic medical method that has existed for more than 3,000 years. Unlike Western medicine, the disease diagnosis in TCM is carried out by inspection, auscultation, olfaction, interrogation, and palpation. The patient is then treated according to the disease and corresponding TCM syndrome. However, the development of Chinese medicine is stagnated, partially because it can be influenced by subjective factors, such as the experience and knowledge of TCM practitioners, and there is a lack of relevant biological research on TCM syndromes. Yin‐deficiency‐heat (YDH) syndrome in TCM is characterized by a series of pathological changes caused by the insufficiency of Yin‐fluid, inability to moisturize, and the failure to suppress Yang. In recent years, systems biology research on TCM syndromes has gradually become the focus of TCM research, including syndrome differentiation and functional research using systems biology methodologies such as proteomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics. This journal aims to publish a series of issues on the systems biology research of TCM syndromes that can provide biological indicators for the syndrome differentiation of YDH syndrome and can provide perspectives on the biological research of YDH syndrome.
Relationship between rectal abdominis muscle position and physiological umbilical herniation and return: A morphological and morphometric study
Authors: Ji Xiang , Ishikawa Aoi , Nagata Akari , Yamada Shigehito , Imai Hirohiko , Matsuda Tetsuya , Takakuwa Tetsuya
Published: January 2020

The herniation of the intestinal loop (IL) in the extraembryonic coelom and its return to abdominal cavity is in parallel with the formation of the rectal abdominis muscle (RAM). Using high‐resolution magnetic resonance imaging data of human fetuses (n = 19, CRL22‐69 mm; stored at Kyoto Collection), this study aimed to analyze the relationship between the development of RAM and phase of IL herniation. The RAM runs at the lateral part of the abdominal wall in the small samples in the herniation phase. The position was shifted to the midline area in the larger samples in the herniation phase. According to fetal growth, the caudal ends of the muscles extended along the umbilical ring towards the pubis, though the caudal part of the RAMs were thin and faint in most of the samples. Length measurements related with the growth of the abdominal wall including RAM and abdominal circumference showed positive correlation with fetal growth. On the contrary, diastasis of RAMs and the width and area of the umbilical ring were almost constant according to fetal growth. Such morphometric value showed no obvious changes regardless of the phases of herniation. The ratio of the width and diastasis of the RAMs to the circumference was decreased, indicating that the closure of the ventral body wall was influenced by growth differences. The present data indicate that the formation of the abdominal wall including RAM is independent of the phase of IL herniation, whether in the extraembryonic coelom or in the abdominal cavity.
Bose‐Einstein condensation and antiparticles in a magnetized neutral vector boson gas at any temperature
Authors: de la Caridad Suárez González Lismary , Angulo Gretel Quintero , Martínez Aurora Pérez , Rojas Hugo Pérez
Published: January 2020

We study the thermodynamic properties of a relativistic magnetized neutral vector boson gas at any temperature. We analyze the effect of temperature as well as antiparticles in Bose‐Einstein condensation. Astrophysical implications are discussed.
Investigating the asymptotic proton‐proton cross section at the Large Hadron Collider using parton saturation models and geometric scaling phenomenon
Authors: Machado Magno V. T.
Published: January 2020

In this contribution, we compute the total cross section for proton‐proton collisions at the Large Hadron Collider in the context of quantum chromo dynamics (QCD) parton saturation models presenting geometric scaling phenomenon. Moreover, prediction for pion‐proton total cross section is also provided for asymptotic energies. The main theoretical uncertainties associated to the calculations are discussed.
Kurt Beyers Beitrag zur Baustatik
Authors: Kurrer Karl‐Eugen
Published: January 2020

Während Heinrich Müller‐Breslau (1851–1925) als Vollender der Klassischen Baustatik im letzten Viertel des 19. Jahrhunderts gilt, nahm Kurt Beyer (1881–1952) mit seiner Monografie „Die Statik im Eisenbetonbau“ in der zweiten Hälfte der Konsolidierungsperiode der Baustatik (1900–1950) die nächste und höhere Stufe im disziplinären Maßstab. Beyers Buchwerk über Baustatik ist eine wissenschaftliche Syntheseleistung ersten Ranges, avancierte zum unübertroffenen Handbuch dieser technikwissenschaftlichen Grundlagendisziplin in ihrer Inventionsphase (1925–1950) und wirkte noch weit in die Innovationsphase (1950–1975) hinein.

So kann Kurt Beyer als Vollender der klassischen Moderne der Baustatik bezeichnet werden, die hier als integraler Bestandteil der Klassischen Moderne des Ingenieurbaus begriffen wird. Nachfolgend wird dieser Entwicklungsprozess aus Sicht der Biografik sowie der Wissenschafts‐ und Technikgeschichte auf Basis von Archivalien beschrieben und analysiert.
Regressive models for risk prediction of repeated multinomial outcomes: An illustration using Health and Retirement Study data
Authors: Chowdhury Rafiqul I. , Islam Mohammed Ataharul
Published: January 2020

Life expectancy is increasing in many countries and this may lead to a higher frequency of adverse health outcomes. Therefore, there is a growing demand for predicting the risk of a sequence of events based on specified factors from repeated outcomes. We proposed regressive models and a framework to predict the joint probabilities of a sequence of events for multinomial outcomes from longitudinal studies. The Markov chain is used to link marginal and sequence of conditional probabilities to predict the joint probability. Marginal and sequence of conditional probabilities are estimated using marginal and regressive models. An application is shown using the Health and Retirement Study data. The bias of parameter estimates for all models from all bootstrap simulation is less than 1% in most of the cases. The estimated mean squared error is also very low. Results from the simulation study show negligible bias and the usefulness of the proposed model. The proposed model and framework would be useful to solve real‐life problems from various fields and big data analysis.
Early and very early‐onset schizophrenia compared with adult‐onset schizophrenia: French FACE‐SZ database
Authors: Coulon Nathalie , Godin Ophélia , Bulzacka Ewa , Dubertret Caroline , Mallet Jasmina , Fond Guillaume , Brunel Lore , Andrianarisoa Méja , Anderson George , Chereau Isabelle , Denizot Hélène , Rey Romain , Dorey Jean‐Michel , Lançon Christophe , Faget Catherine , Roux Paul , Passerieux Christine , Dubreucq Julien , Leignier Sylvain , Capdevielle Delphine , André Myrtille , Aouizerate Bruno , Misdrahi David , Berna Fabrice , Vidailhet Pierre , Leboyer Marion , Schürhoff Franck
Published: January 2020

Objective

To compare the clinical symptomatology in patients with Early‐Onset Schizophrenia (EOS, N = 176), especially the subgroup Very Early Onset Schizophrenia (VEOS) and Adult Onset Schizophrenia (AOS, N = 551).

Method

In a large French multicentric sample, 727 stable schizophrenia patients, classified by age at onset of the disorder, were assessed using standardized and extensive clinical and neuropsychological batteries: AOS with onset ≥ 18 years and EOS with onset < 18 years (including 22 VEOS < 13 years).

Results

The importance of better diagnosing EOS group, and in particularly VEOS, appeared in a longer DUP Duration of Untreated Psychosis (respectively, 2.6 years ± 4.1 and 8.1 years ± 5.7 vs. 1.0 years ± 2.5), more severe symptomatology (PANSS Positive And Negative Syndrome Scale scores), and lower educational level than the AOS group. In addition, the VEOS subgroup had a more frequent childhood history of learning disabilities and lower prevalence of right‐handedness quotient than the AOS.

Conclusion

The study demonstrates the existence of an increased gradient of clinical severity from AOS to VEOS. In order to improve the prognosis of the early forms of schizophrenia and to reduce the DUP, clinicians need to pay attention to the prodromal manifestations of the disease.
Evaluation of the diagnostic value of circulating tumor cells with CytoSorter® CTC capture system in patients with breast cancer
Authors: Jin Lidan , Zhao Wenhe , Zhang Jun , Chen Wenjun , Xie Tan , Wang Linbo , Fan Wanhung , Xie Shuduo , Shen Jianguo , Zheng Heming , Hu Wenxian , Wei Qun , Dong Minjun , Wang Qinchun , Shen Jun , Liu Yongcheng
Published: January 2020

Purpose

In this study, we aimed to investigate the viability of utilizing CytoSorter® system to detect circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and to evaluate the diagnostic value of CTCs in breast cancer (BC).

Methods

A total of 366 females patients suspected of having BC and 30 healthy female volunteers were enrolled in this study. CTCs were enriched by CytoSorter®, a microfluidic‐based CTCs capturing platform. CTC detection was performed before operation or biopsy. Based on the biopsy results, patients were divided into two groups, namely patients with BC and patients with benign breast diseases (BBD). Patients with BBD and healthy volunteers were serving as controls. The correlation between CTC enumeration and patients' clinicopathological characteristics was evaluated. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to assess the diagnostic potency of CytoSorter® system in BC.

Results

Based on the biopsy results, 130 BC patients at different cancer stages and 236 patients with BBD were enrolled in the study. Seven subjects were dropped out from the study. CTCs were detected in 109 of 128 BC patients, in one of 29 healthy volunteers, and in 37 of 232 patients with BBD. Maximum CTC counts detected in BC patients, healthy volunteers, and patients with BBD were 8, 1, and 4, respectively. Statistical analysis showed CTCs could be used to distinguish BC patients from healthy volunteers and patients with BBD (P < .0001). Circulating tumor cells were statistically associated with patients' cancer stage (P = .0126), tumor size (tumor node metastasis [TNM] T stage, P = .0253), cancer type (invasive vs noninvasive, P = .0141), and lymph node metastasis (P = .0436). More CTCs were found in patients at advanced cancer stage or TNM T stage and in patients with invasive tumor or lymph node metastasis. Furthermore, CTC detection rates in BC patients at Tis and T1‐4 stages were 50%, 81.67%, 91.07%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. When the CTC cut‐off value was set to 2, the ROC curve gave an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.86 with a specificity and sensitivity of 95.4% and 76.56%, respectively. Taken together, CTCs could be used as a diagnostic aid in assistance of cancer screening and staging.

Conclusion

Circulating tumor cells were successfully isolated in BC patients using CytoSorter® system. CTCs can be used to differentiate BC patients from the patients with BBD or healthy volunteers, and as a diagnostic aid for early cancer diagnosis and cancer staging.
Clients with different problems are different and questionnaires are not blood tests: A template analysis of psychiatric and psychotherapy clients' experiences of the CORE‐OM
Authors: Paz Clara , Adana‐Díaz Lila , Evans Chris
Published: January 2020

Aim

To explore the constructions users of mental health services have of outcome and change measures, contrasting those of hospital psychiatric patients with psychotic experiences versus psychotherapy clients in private practice who have not had psychotic experiences.

Method

Twenty‐four participants, 12 from each setting, were interviewed about their experiences when answering the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation‐Outcome Measure. Template analysis was used to analyse transcripts from a pragmatic and contextualist position.

Findings

Participants from both settings understood all the items of the CORE‐OM and generally saw it as useful to assess the psychological distress and to appreciate the progress within the treatment. However, experience of emotions such as sadness and hopelessness, a focus on functioning and an emphasis on impartiality of the person who offers the questionnaire were themes that emerged only for the hospital participants. This is the first study explicitly comparing the experiences of two types of users of mental health care services when answering the CORE‐OM; with the increasing routine use of change measures, reactions of these groups to such measures need to be explored in more detail qualitatively as well as quantitatively. Clinicians in all settings should think carefully about the explanations for the use of change measures, being sure that they address the primary concerns of participants. Scores are not like blood test results, and they arise in the relational context, a construction that includes both local organisational and cultural location.
Evaluation of Antibacterial Activity of Lavandulapedunculata subsp. atlantica (Braun‐Blanq.) Romo Essential Oil and Selected Terpenoids against Resistant Bacteria Strains–Structure–Activity Relationships
Authors: Sayout Ahlam , Ouarhach Aicha , Rabie Reda , Dilagui Ilham , Soraa Nabila , Romane Abderrahmane
Published: January 2020

The genus Lavandula is known for its different uses in traditional medicine. This study is interested in the chemical composition of Lavandulapedunculata subsp.atlantica (Braun‐Blanq.) Romo as well as evaluating its antibacterial potential against multi‐resistant strains. The analysis of Lavandulaatlantica essential oil (LAEO) allows the identification of 47 components representing 93.6 % of all identified. The main constituent of LAEO was camphor (50.4 %), followed by fenchone (14.1 %) and camphene (5.6 %). The antibacterial assays revealed that LAEO was active against all the studied bacteria. A preliminary study of the relationship between certain terpenoids and antibacterial activity was also carried out in order to note the compound(s) that are responsible for LAEO's antibacterial activity. This study showed that the activity of the essential oil may be due to the presence of certain minor compounds such as carvone, considering the presence of the synergistic effect between the essential oil.
Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 promotes EGFR ubiquitination and modulates EGFR/MAPK signalling in pancreatic cancer cells
Authors: Huang Jin , Liu Jingxue , Qiu Lei
Published: January 2020

Transient receptor potential vanilloid‐1 (TRPV1) was first identified in sensory neurons, where it was suggested as a therapeutic target for pain relief. Here, we show that TRPV1 is expressed in the pancreatic cancer cell line, PANC‐1; that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression is downregulated by overexpression or agonist‐induced activation of TRPV1; and conversely, that EGFR expression is increased after silencing TRPV1. Furthermore, TRPV1 overexpression inhibits cell proliferation and significantly reduces the mRNA levels of two oncogenes, KRAS and AKT2. More importantly, TRPV1 downregulates EGFR levels by inducing EGFR ubiquitination and degradation, which modulate EGFR/MAPK signalling in pancreatic cancer cells. These results illustrate the regulation and mechanism of TRPV1 on EGFR in pancreatic cancer cells and may provide new ideas for the design of novel antitumor drugs targeting EGFR.

Significance of the study

We investigated the effect and mechanism of TRPV1 on EGFR‐mediated proliferation and transformation of pancreatic cancer cells, with the aim of providing new ideas and experimental evidence for the application of strategies that promote EGFR degradation to treat pancreatic cancer.
Stent selection among patients with chronic kidney disease: Results from the NCDR CathPCI Registry
Authors: Feldman Daniel A. , Shroff Adhir R. , Bao Haikun , Curtis Jeptha P. , Minges Karl E. , Ardati Amer K.
Published: January 2020

Objectives

This study sought to define contemporary rates of drug eluting stent (DES) usage in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Background

Among patients with CKD undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs), outcomes are superior for those who receive DES compared to those who receive bare metal stents (BMSs). However, perceived barriers may limit the use of DES in this population.

Methods

All adult PCI cases from the NCDR CathPCI Registry involving coronary stent placement between July 1, 2009 and December 31, 2015 were analyzed. The rate of DES usage was then compared among four groups, stratified by CKD stage (I/II, III, IV, and V). Subgroup analysis was conducted based on PCI status and indication. Cases were linked to Medicare claims data to assess 1‐year mortality.

Results

A total of 3,650,333 PCI cases met criteria for analysis. DES usage significantly declined as renal function worsened (83.0%, 79.9%, 75.6%, and 75.6%, respectively, in the four CKD stages; p < .001). DES usage was universally lower across the four groups in the setting of ST‐Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) (70.6%, 66.5%, 58.7%, 58.0%; p < .001) and higher in the setting of elective PCI (87.6%, 84.9%, 82.3%, 77.9%; p < .0001). DES was associated with improved 1‐year survival, and usage increased over time across each group.

Conclusions

DESs are underutilized in patients with advanced renal dysfunction. Although DES usage has increased over time, variation still exists between patients with normal renal function and those with CKD.
An invitation for optimal inclusivity: Investing in communities to advance equity in biomedical research and cancer care
Authors: Meade Cathy D. , Gwede Clement K.
Published: January 2020

Strategic efforts to optimize diversity and inclusivity in biomedical research and clinical trials are essential to ensure the greatest benefit for demographically diverse populations and communities. In this editorial, the authors call for researchers to have a proactive “inclusivity mindset” when planning and conducting research to achieve health equity.
Identification of spinal afferent nerve endings in the colonic mucosa and submucosa that communicate directly with the spinal cord: The gut–brain axis
Authors: Spencer Nick J. , Kyloh Melinda A. , Travis Lee , Dodds Kelsi N.
Published: January 2020

The major sensory nerve pathway between the colon and central nervous system (spinal cord and brain) that underlies the gut–brain axis, is via spinal afferent neurons, with cell bodies in dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Our aim was to identify the sensory nerve endings in the colon that arise from single colorectal‐projecting DRG neurons. C57BL/6 mice were anesthetized and lumbosacral L6‐S1 DRG injected with dextran biotin. Mice recovered for 7 days. The whole colon was then removed and stained to visualize single axons and nerve endings immunoreactive to calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP). Single axons arising from DRG were identified in the distal colon and their morphological features and CGRP immunoreactivity characterized. After entering the colon, single axons ramified rostrally or caudally along many rows of myenteric ganglia with little circumferential displacement, giving off varicose endings in multiple ganglia. Nerve endings arising from two classes of colorectal‐projecting DRG neuron were identified. One class was peptidergic neurons that had nerve endings in circular muscle, myenteric ganglia, and submucosa. Another class of nonpeptidergic neurons innervated mucosal crypts, myenteric ganglia, and submucosa. Different morphological types of nerve endings which innervate different anatomical layers of colon can arise from the same axon and sensory neuron in DRG. These findings suggest single peptidergic and nonpeptidergic sensory neurons in DRG are potentially capable of detecting sensory stimuli from different anatomical layers of the colon, via different types of nerve endings.
3D iris model and reader for iris identification
Authors: Cohen Fernand , Sowmithran Sowrirajan , Li Chenxi
Published: January 2020

In the presence of eyelids and eyelashes movement, pupil dilation, poor lighting, blur due to movement during iris image acquisition, and factors that collectively cause distortion in the iris image, 2D image‐based iris identification techniques become limited and might lead to iris misclassification due to the dependency on the image appearance (texture) on the possibly distorted image. To alleviate this problem, we introduce a new 3D iris model and reader based upon which iris identification is performed. Using a set of at least two 2D images taken from different views, a small set of reliable and corresponding salient fiducial points (corner points taken from crypts, corona, and serpentine rings of iris pattern) in the two images are extracted, from which a set of 3D iris salient points are obtained using triangulation. Corresponding salient points in the 2D images are found using the Random Sampling Consensus (RANSAC) algorithm, which is robust in identifying the inlier points that correspond to each other in different views of the iris. From this small and reliable salient point set, a denser (high‐resolution) set of extra salient feature points is constructed at minimum cost using a loop subdivision method that yields corresponding extra salient points in the two images from which a high‐resolution 3D iris model is obtained. The points associated with the 3D high‐resolution model are tessellated to form a high‐resolution triangular mesh with the appearance of a triangular patch in the image imported onto the iris personalized 3D model rendering it a 3D iris surface with appearance. This 3D model construction method allows for a 3D classification of a test iris to one of many possible irises stored in the database. The classification is based on a geometric 3D point cloud error. For cross‐validation, the geometric‐based classification can be augmented by considering a mean squared error (MSE) based on the appearance of corresponding points on the test and base models to further disambiguate between irises with close geometric error values.
Step‐by‐Step Pipeline for the Ecological Analysis of Endophytic Fungi using ITS nrDNA Data
Authors: Montero‐Vargas Maripaz , Escudero‐Leyva Efraín , Díaz‐Valerio Stefani , Chaverri Priscila
Published: January 2020

The nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) is accepted as the genetic marker or barcode of choice for the identification of fungal samples. Here, we present a protocol to analyze fungal ITS data, from quality preprocessing of raw sequences to identification of operational taxonomic units (OTUs), taxonomic classification, and assignment of functional traits. The pipeline relies on well‐established and manually curated data collections, namely the UNITE database and the FUNGuild script. As an example, real ITS data from culturable endophytic fungi were analyzed, providing detailed descriptions for every step, parameter, and downstream analysis, and finishing with a phylogenetic analysis of the sequences and assigned ecological roles. This article constitutes a comprehensive guide for researchers that have little familiarity with bioinformatic analysis of essential steps required in further ecological studies of fungal communities. © 2020 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Basic Protocol 1: Raw sequencing data processing

Support Protocol: Building a BLAST database

Basic Protocol 2: Obtaining information from databases

Basic Protocol 3: Phylogenetic analysis
The role of stigma during the course of inpatient psychotherapeutic treatment in a German sample
Authors: Deres Anna Tabea , Bürkner Paul‐Christian , Klauke Benedikt , Buhlmann Ulrike
Published: January 2020

The current study intends to investigate whether the therapeutic process is impeded by stigma and how stigma develops over the course of cognitive behavioural psychotherapy treatment. Sixty German psychotherapy inpatients were asked on a weekly basis about two facets of stigma: self‐stigma and perceived public stigma. That information was linked to additional process as well as outcome variables (therapeutic engagement, working alliance, depressive, and general psychological symptoms). Both facets of stigma decreased over the course of psychotherapy, but only the decrease in self‐stigma was significant. In a weekly interval, low (high) self‐stigma predicted high (low) levels of working alliance and therapeutic engagement and vice versa. The current study shows that self‐stigma is especially subject to change during the course of an inpatient psychotherapeutic treatment. In addition, our results point to the interrelation between self‐stigma and other process variables contributing to the effectiveness and success of psychotherapy.
Relative utility of agronomic, phenological, and morphological traits for assessing genotype‐by‐environment interaction in maize inbreds
Authors: Falcon Celeste M. , Kaeppler Shawn M. , Spalding Edgar P. , Miller Nathan D. , Haase Nicholas , AlKhalifah Naser , Bohn Martin , Buckler Edward S. , Campbell Darwin A. , Ciampitti Ignacio , Coffey Lisa , Edwards Jode , Ertl David , Flint‐Garcia Sherry , Gore Michael A. , Graham Christopher , Hirsch Candice N. , Holland James B. , Jarquín Diego , Knoll Joseph , Lauter Nick , Lawrence‐Dill Carolyn J. , Lee Elizabeth C. , Lorenz Aaron , Lynch Jonathan P. , Murray Seth C. , Nelson Rebecca , Romay M. Cinta , Rocheford Torbert , Schnable Patrick S. , Scully Brian , Smith Margaret , Springer Nathan , Tuinstra Mitchell R. , Walton Renee , Weldekidan Teclemariam , Wisser Randall J. , Xu Wenwei , de Leon Natalia
Published: January 2020

Plant breeders face the challenge of genotype × environment interaction (G × E) in comprehensively breeding for expanded geographic regions. An improved understanding of G × E sensitivity of traits and the environmental features that effectively discriminate among genotypes will enable more efficient breeding efforts. In this study of 31 maize (Zea mays L.) inbreds grown in 36 environments that are part of the Genomes to Fields Initiative, we measured 14 traits, including flowering date, height, and yield components (i.e., ear and kernel dimensions) to (i) identify traits that are the most sensitive indicators of G × E; (ii) determine how geographic location and weather factors influence environments’ discriminability of inbreds; and (iii) detect patterns of stability in better and worse discriminating environments. Genotype × environment interaction explained between 9.0–20.4% of the phenotypic variance with greater effects in the yield‐component traits. Discriminability of environments varied by trait. Midwest locations (where 26 of the 31 inbreds were developed) were among the most discriminating environments for more traits, while environments in the West and East tended to be less discriminating. Weather factors during silking were significantly different between the most and least discriminating environments more often than average weather across the season or during the period from planting to silking. Stability of genotypes varied by trait, and performance was usually not correlated with stability. The dissection of complex traits, such as yield into component traits, appears to be a useful approach to understand how environmental factors differentially affect phenotype.
Exploration of New Biomass‐Derived Solvents: Application to Carboxylation Reactions
Authors: Gevorgyan Ashot , Hopmann Kathrin H. , Bayer Annette
Published: January 2020

A range of hitherto unexplored biomass‐derived chemicals have been evaluated as new sustainable solvents for a large variety of CO2‐based carboxylation reactions. Known biomass‐derived solvents (biosolvents) are also included in the study and the results are compared with commonly used solvents for the reactions. Biosolvents can be efficiently applied in a variety of carboxylation reactions, such as Cu‐catalyzed carboxylation of organoboranes and organoboronates, metal‐catalyzed hydrocarboxylation, borocarboxylation, and other related reactions. For many of these reactions, the use of biosolvents provides comparable or better yields than the commonly used solvents. The best biosolvents identified are the so far unexplored candidates isosorbide dimethyl ether, acetaldehyde diethyl acetal, rose oxide, and eucalyptol, alongside the known biosolvent 2‐methyltetrahydrofuran. This strategy was used for the synthesis of the commercial drugs Fenoprofen and Flurbiprofen.
Integration of kinetic ions in a three‐dimensional Monte‐Carlo neutral transport code
Authors: Schluck Friedrich
Published: January 2020

Charged particles of species different from the major constituents of a plasma might not reach local thermodynamic equilibrium during their lifespan. Such low collisional ions render the often‐used fluid description, assuming Maxwellian velocity distribution, as insufficient. Hence, kinetic treatment of such minorities becomes inevitable. The three‐dimensional kinetic neutral particle Monte‐Carlo code EIRENE [D. Reiter et al., Fusion Science and Technology, 47 (2), 172 (2005)] possesses a model for ion transport reduced in physics, consisting of field‐line tracing and energy relaxation of particles. The trajectory integration is now extended to account for first‐order particle drifts, anomalous cross‐field diffusion denoting for turbulence effects, and the consideration of the magnetic mirror force. The technical implementation, as well as the verification of the enhanced kinetic ion transport is being reported.
Lessons learned from 10 years of citizenship education in Northern Ireland: A critical analysis of curriculum change
Authors: O’Connor Una , Anderson Worden Elizabeth , Bates Jessica , Gstrein Vanessa
Published: January 2020

Curriculum change is an intricate, lengthy process, requiring commitment, cooperation and compromise amongst the agencies and stakeholders involved; its development is more complex in divided societies, particularly when the subject content is open to contention. The addition of Local and Global Citizenship (LGC) to the Northern Ireland (NI) curriculum in 2007 was intended to prepare students for life in a post‐conflict and increasingly diverse society, and the precariousness of current events locally and globally have reinforced its relevance. Yet, the initial curricular aspirations underpinning citizenship education have been largely unfulfilled and its diminished status within the education system reflects the divergences that beset its development and implementation. This paper employs Fullan’s change model of implementation to critically reflect on the interplay of factors that informed and influenced the design and introduction of the LGC curriculum in NI. Using Fullan’s framework as an analytic tool, interviews with key stakeholders directly involved in curriculum reform at the time illustrate how the complexity of change motivated and undermined in equal measure. Whilst the paper assesses the implications of a dislocated citizenship curriculum and identifies lessons learned for NI, the findings have wide‐ranging relevance for education systems generally.
Low‐power and area‐efficient design of AES S‐Box using enhanced transformation method for security application
Authors: Nandan V. , Gowri Shankar Rao R.
Published: January 2020

In implementing well‐known advanced encryption standard (AES) algorithm, the main part for constructing the hardware is S‐Box, which is abbreviated from substitution box. This is the basic component of symmetric key cryptographic algorithm, and it requires in AES because of its nonlinear organization with multiplicative inversion. This S‐Box is designed by two transformations, ie, inversing the multiplication part in Galois field directed with modified affine transformation. The limitation of S‐Box is more time and power consumption. This limitation has to be overcome by doing slight modification in affine and inverse affine transform. The time consumption for AES S‐Box is decreased by the proposed transformation method. The proposed system achieved 39% power when compared with the existing system; the proposed system is efficient.