bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abstract SY09-03: PROFYLEing Cancer for KiCS: The Canadian Pediatric Precision Oncology Initiative
Authors: Malkin David , Berman Jason N. , Chan Jennifer A. , Denburg Avram , Deyell Rebecca , Eisenstadt David , Fernandez Conrad , Grover Stephanie , Gupta Abha , Hawkings Cynthia , Irwin Meredith , Jabado Nada , Jones Steven , Morgenstern Daniel , Moran Michael , Rasesekh Rod , Shlien Adam , Sinnett Daniel , Sorensen Poul , Sullivan Patrick , Taylor Michael , Villani Anita , Whitlock Jim
Published: September 2020

Each year, approximately 4300 children, adolescents and young adults (CAYA) are diagnosed with cancer. One-third of these patients present with metastatic disease, develop refractory disease or relapse. For these patients, the likelihood of survival remains grim and essentially unchanged in more than three decades. Precision Oncology for Young PeopLE (PROFYLE) is a pan-Canadian, interdisciplinary program that was built on the foundation of three major sequencing efforts in Vancouver (PedsPOG), Toronto (KiCS) and Montreal (TRICEPS) for children with hard-to-treat cancer. Since its inception in 2017, over 700 patients have had complete NGS of paired blood-tumor samples with a goal to not only develop a national precision oncology pipeline, but also to determine the frequency and spectrum of molecular targets for novel therapies and other clinically actionable findings. During this presentation, both the process as well as current findings will be presented and plans for the future will be outlined.

Citation Format: David Malkin, Jason N. Berman, Jennifer A. Chan, Avram Denburg, Rebecca Deyell, David Eisenstadt, Conrad Fernandez, Stephanie Grover, Abha Gupta, Cynthia Hawkings, Meredith Irwin, Nada Jabado, Steven Jones, Daniel Morgenstern, Michael Moran, Rod Rasesekh, Adam Shlien, Daniel Sinnett, Poul Sorensen, Patrick Sullivan, Michael Taylor, Anita Villani, Jim Whitlock. PROFYLEing Cancer for KiCS: The Canadian Pediatric Precision Oncology Initiative [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr SY09-03.
Prognostic Value of Biomarkers in Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy following Heart Transplantation: A Literature Review
Authors: Habibi Shaghayegh , Ghaffarpasand Eiman , Shojaei Fahimehalsadat , Alihashemi Mahda , Kahe Farima , Zahedi Tajrishi Farbod , Chi Gerald
Published: September 2020

Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV), also known as cardiac transplant vasculopathy, is a major determinant of long-term survival among cardiac transplantation recipients. Histologically, CAV is featured by diffuse, concentric thickening of the vascular wall, and primarily affects large and small epicardial coronary arteries, intramyocardial arteries, and veins. Owing to graft denervation, CAV typically follows an insidious course, and patients may not experience classic angina symptoms but instead present with progressive heart failure or ventricular arrhythmias. Recent studies on biomarkers have furthered the knowledge concerning the prediction and prognosis of CAV. Given its association with metabolic, thrombotic, inflammatory, and immunologic markers, CAV is likely to represent a complex multifactorial process that involves both immune-mediated and non-immune-mediated pathways. In order to identify the high-risk patients that would benefit from early intervention, future research is warranted to examine the usefulness of a biomarker panel in CAV risk stratification.
Comparative study of three different bridge-less converters for reduction of harmonic distortion in brushless DC motor
Authors: Mondal Santanu , Chattopadhyay Madhurima
Published: September 2020

This paper represents a comparative study of three different types of DC-DC
converter that can be used for reduction of Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)
in stator current, back electromotive force (EMF) and torque of brush less
DC motor. In addition, the topologies of these converters are analysed, and
the THD of the output characteristics have also been studied. In this work,
SEPIC, Zeta and Flyback converters are considered and their outputs are fed
to the BLDCM with the help of universal bridge or six step inverter.
Moreover the THD of the output voltages are not only measured for three
converters but also reduced by tuning the parameters. At first these three
converters are modeled in MATLAB/ Simulink based simulation platform
and studied the performance individually and further executed with hardware
circuitry. Finally the output parameters from both software simulation and
real time hardware are compared for these three converters separately and got
satisfactory similar results. Again we studied the performance with these
converters in terms of efficiency while fed in the commutation drive circuitry
of BLDCM by considering minimum THD. From this comparative
simulation results, it has been observed that Zeta converter showed maximum
efficiency. Therefore, in real time hardware implementation, the
commutation drive circuitry of BLDCM is studied with Zeta converter. With
this configuration, a comparatively low THD of stator current, back EMF and
electromagnetic torque have been achieved in BLDCM with PID controller.
Stability and chaos with mathematical control of 4-D dynamical system
Authors: Mal-Allah Aziz Maysoon , M. Merie Dalya
Published: September 2020

A new four-dimensional continuous-time system is dealt in this paper. The system employs eight
simple terms involving two quadratic cross-product nonlinear terms. The fundamental characteristics of
the system are analyzed by means of equilibrium points, stability analysis, dissipativity, wave form
analysis, Lapiynuov Exponents and Kaplan-Yorke dimension. The maximum value of Lapiynuov
exponent is obtain as (1.660748) and Kaplan-Yorke dimension obtain as (), that show the system is
unstable and highly chaotic. As well, an optimal controller by adaptive control strategy is established to
be system trajectories are stable. Finally, Adaptive synchronization of system (1) is clarified. Tables are
made to compare the theoretical and graphical results of the system before and after control.
Detection and classification of various pest attacks and infection on plants using recursive backpropagation neural network with GA based particle swarm optimization algorithm
Authors: Gangadharan Kapilya , Nesa Kumari G. Rosline , Dhanasekaran D. , Malathi K.
Published: September 2020

Machine learning methodologies are commonly used in the field of
precession farming. It prospects greatly in the plant safety measure like
disease detection and classification of pest attacks. It highly influences the
crop production and management. The venture of our system is to produce
healthy plantation. The proposed system involves Enhanced Feature Fractal
Texture Analysis, Statistical Feature Selection and Machine Learning
methodology for classification. Hence more than ever there is a need for
such a tool that combines image processing methodologies and the Neural
network concepts and that is supported by huge cloud of structured data
which makes the diagnosis and classification part much easier and
convenient. The proposed system recognizes and classifies the plant
taxonomy and the infection based on the selected statistical features. The
neural network concept followed in our proposed system is focused on
Artificial Neural Network which uses Recursive Back Propagation Neural
network to speed up the training process as well as reduce multiclass
problem in the network and optimize the weights on hidden layers of the
Network using Genetic Algorithm based Particle Swarm Optimization
technique. We have used MATLAB to implement the concept and obtained
better accuracy in disease/pest detection and proved to be an efficient
method.
Innovations into industrial technology programmes of Nigerian Universities for effective application of mobile communication technologies and quality assurance of graduates
Authors: Bakare Jimoh , Osita Omeje Hyginus , Oluwatimilehin Samson , Ikenna Nwaodo Samson , Pauline Ijeoma Obe , Johnson Ogunmilade Olusesan , Ajiboye Olaoye Ojo
Published: September 2020

The study innovated the industrial technology programmes of Nigerian universities for effective application of mobile
communication technologies and quality assurance of graduates. Five research questions guided the study while three null
hypotheses formulated were tested at .05 level of significance. The study made use of descriptive survey design and was
carried out in Enugu State, Nigeria. The participants for the study were 120 comprising of 67 lecturers of
electrical/electronic technology and 53 technologists of industrial technical education. A 97-item questionnaire was used as
instrument for data collection. One hundred and eighteen copies of the questionnaire were retrieved. The data collected were
analyzed using mean, factor analysis, standard deviation and improvement need index (INI) to answer the four research
questions while analysis of variance was employed to test the hypotheses at .05 level of significance. Results revealed that
33 innovations for inclusion into programme of electrical/electronic technology. Furthermore, the results of the study
revealed that teachers need improvement in implementing the innovated contents of electrical/electronic technology aspect
of industrial technical education programme. Hence, there is need to package the findings of the study into training
programme and use it for building the capacity of teachers of electrical/electronic technology in Nigerian universities.
Design and analysis of an OFDM-based orthogonal multilevel code-shifted differential chaos shift keying
Authors: Hasan Fadhil Sahib , Fahad Hayder Fadhil
Published: September 2020

In this paper, a new non-coherent chaos-based communication that combined Orthogonal Multilevel Code-Shifted Differential Chaos Shift Keying with orthogonal frequency division multiplexing named (OFDM-OMCS-DCSK) modulation system. New orthogonal chaotic signal sets are generated by hybrid Gram-Schmidt algorithm and Walsh code function and used it to carry high data rate in the same time slot. The Bandwidth efficiency of the OFDM-OMCS-DCSK system is comparing with conventional system. Also, the BER analytic expressions are derived under (AWGN) and multipath Rayleigh fading channels and comparing with the simulation results. Furthermore, the BER performance is compared with OFDM-DCSK to found that the proposed system has the best BER performance with high data rate feature.
Outlier detection in WSN by entropy based machine learning approach
Authors: Yadav Manmohan Singh , Ahamad Shish
Published: September 2020

Environmental disasters like flooding, earthquake etc. causes catastrophic effects all over the world. WSN based techniques have become popular in susceptibility modelling of such disaster due to their greater strength and efficiency in the prediction of such threats. This paper demonstrates the machine learning-based approach to predict outlier in sensor data with bagging, boosting, random subspace, SVM and KNN based frameworks for outlier prediction using a WSN data. First of all database is pre processed with 14 sensor motes with presence of outlier due to intrusion. Subsequently segmented database is created from sensor pairs. Finally, the data entropy is calculated and used as a feature to determine the presence of outlier used different approach. Results show that the KNN model has the highest prediction capability for outlier assessment.
Towards 5G millimeter-wave wireless networks: a comparative study on electro-optical upconversion techniques
Authors: Ahmed Al-Shareefi Nael , A. Aldhaibaini Jaafar , Adil Abbas Sura , S. Obaid Hadeel
Published: September 2020

Fifth−generation (5G) wireless networks that use the MM−W hold a great promise to revolutionize wireless industry. However, the difficulty in generating and transmitting these high‐frequency signals in the electrical−domain due to bandwidth limitation of electronic components, and high absorption loss limits current applications. Consequently, optical generation and transmission of MM−W signals are a viable option. In this paper, a comparative study is carried out on three electro−optical upconversion (EOU) techniques to generate 60−GHz MM−W signal, namely 4−tupling, 6−tupling and 8−tupling. The paper briefly describes the three techniques and analyses the optical harmonic distortion suppression ratio (OHDSR) and electrical spurious suppression ratio (ESSR) generated by each one of the techniques. OHDSR and ESSR have been compared to show the trade-off between the techniques. In addition, the paper compares the implementation of non−ideal phase shifting on OHDSR for the three EOU techniques Finally, the performance of the three EOU techniques after transmission over optical fiber is evaluated by quality factor (Q−factor) and eye pattern test. The results of the simulation illustrate well the benefits of the performed study and confirm that the 4−tupling constitutes a cost−effective technique to generate MM−W signals.
Ear biometric verification approach based on morphological and geometric invariants
Authors: A. Jbara Wurood
Published: September 2020

Biometric verification based on ear features is modern filed for scientific research. As known, there are many biometric identifiers that can identify people such as fingerprints, iris and speech. In this paper, the focus is placed on the ear biometric model in order to verifying the identity of persons. The main idea is based on used the moments as ear feature extractors. The proposed approach included some operations as follow: image capturing, edge detection, erosion, feature extraction, and matching. The proposed approach has been tested using many images of the ears with different states. Experimental results using several trails verified that the proposed approach is achieved high accuracy level over a wide variety of ear images. Also, the verification process will be completed by matching query ear image with ear images that kept in database during real time.
A new modification of LEACH for efficient energy in WSN
Authors: Lechani Taous , Tourtchine Victor , Amari Said
Published: September 2020

The limited energy of nodes in wireless sensor networks and the
impossibility of replacing their batteries, have lead to protocols development
which optimize and balance the energy consumption over the network.
LEACH is the most used hierarchical protocol. However, one major
weakness of the LEACH protocol lies in both of its random cluster formation
and cluster head election. In this paper, we present two new protocols based
virtual grid clustering on coverage area. In the first one, sensing area is
devided into grids as squares named as VSG-LEACH and in the second one
into grids as hexagons named as VHG-LEACH. In each zone, one cluster
head is elected according to its residual energy and its distance from the cell
center. The simulation results show that the network lifetime is prolonged by
169.67% and the energy consumption is improved by 80.97% compared to
LEACH protocol.
New hybrid flower pollination algorithm with dragonfly algorithm and jaccard index to enhance solving university course timetable problem
Authors: Sapul Ma Shiela Cadelina , Setthawong Rachsuda , Setthawong Pisal
Published: September 2020

University course timetable problem (UCTP) is one of the problems on which many researches have been conducted over the years because of its importance in academic institutions. A nature-inspired metaheuristic optimization algorithm, Flower Pollination Algorithm (FPA) has been adapted, so-called Adapted FPA (AFPA), to cope with UCTP in the previous work. However, AFPA suffers from the stagnation problem because of the non-diversity in the population. To improve the diversity of the population, this work introduces new Hybrid FPA with two variants: JFPA provided the Jaccard index to determine similarities among categorical data and the greedy selection mechanism to improve the selection of the random solution, and DFPA applied the navigational characteristics of the Dragonfly Algorithm (DA) to help in the neighborhood relationship. The results in this study indicate that the proposed algorithms have better exploration ability and fast convergence rate in comparison; JFPA outperforms AFPA in 3 out of 4 datasets for both small and large datasets, and DFPA outperforms AFPA and GA in all datasets while it outperforms PSO in 3 out of 4 small datasets and 2 complex large datasets.
Currency hedging strategy using barrier options in the colombian market
Authors: Arango-Franco Mariana , Jiménez-Gómez Miguel , Acevedo-Prins Natalia
Published: September 2020

One of the main problems for the growth of the Colombian market is the short variety of investment instruments found in the local market. In this way, an exchange rate hedging strategy is proposed using exotic options, specifically, barrier-type options. These types of options are not offered in the Colombian market. Monte Carlo simulation is used to determine the effect that the hedging strategy has on currency risk. From the results, it is concluded that the exchange risk is decreased with the hedging strategy because the 5th and 95th percentiles are lower than in the scenario without hedging. Finally, the code that was used to model the barrier options is explained.
Experimental simplified rule of self tuning fuzzy logic-model reference adaptive speed controller for induction motor drive
Authors: Ismail M.Z. , Talib M.H.N. , Ibrahim Z. , Mat Lazi J. , Rasin Z.
Published: September 2020

Fuzzy logic controller (FLC) has shown excellent performance in dealing with the non-linearity and complex dynamic model of the induction motor. However, a conventional constant parameter FLC (CPFL) will not be able to provide–good coverage performance for a wide speed range operation with a single tuning parameter. Therefore, this paper proposed a self tuning mechanism FLC approach by model reference adaptive controller (ST-MRAC) to continuously allow to adjust the parameters. Due to real time hardware application, the dominant rules selection method for simplified rules has been implemented as part of the reducing computational burden. Experiment results validate a good performance of the ST-MRAC compared to the CPFL for the   speed performance in terms of the wide range of operations and disturbance showed remarkable performance.
Effects of ON-Hours Versus OFF-Hours Admission on Outcome in Patients With Myocardial Infarction and Cardiogenic Shock
Authors: Sag Can Martin , Zeymer Uwe , Ouarrak Taoufik , Schneider Steffen , Montalescot Gilles , Huber Kurt , Fuernau Georg , Freund Anne , Feistritzer Hans-Josef , Desch Steffen , Thiele Holger , Maier Lars S.
Published: September 2020

Background:

The management of patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock is highly complex, and outcomes may depend on the time of hospital admission and subsequent intervention (ie, ON-hours versus OFF-hours). The CULPRIT-SHOCK trial (Culprit Lesion Only PCI Versus Multivessel PCI in Cardiogenic Shock) demonstrated superior outcome for culprit-lesion-only versus immediate multivessel percutaneous coronary intervention in patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction, multivessel disease, and cardiogenic shock. However, it is unknown whether the time of hospital admission affects the overall outcome of these high-risk patients.

Methods:

We analyzed patients from the CULPRIT-SHOCK trial with respect to the time of hospital admission. We divided patients in ON-hours and OFF-hours groups and further stratified them according to their individual revascularization strategy. Outcome measures consisted of a composite end point of death or renal-replacement therapy within 30 days and mortality within 1 year.

Results:

Out of 686 patients randomized in the CULPRIT-SHOCK trial, 444 patients (64.7%) presented during ON-hours, whereas 242 patients (35.3%) presented during OFF-hours. Death or renal-replacement therapy at 30 days occurred to a similar extent in patients admitted during ON-hours (51.0%) and OFF-hours (50.0%;
P
=0.80). Similarly, 1-year mortality was not affected by the time of hospital admission (54.4% ON-hours versus 51.7% OFF-hours,
P
=0.49). Regardless of admission time, patients had a benefit from culprit-lesion-only as compared to immediate multivessel percutaneous coronary intervention. The composite end point at 30 days occurred in 45.1% versus 57.6% of patients admitted ON-hours and in 47.7% versus 51.9% of patients admitted OFF-hours (
P
interaction
=0.29). Death within 1 year occurred in 49.4% versus 60.0% of patients admitted during ON-hours and in 51.4% versus 51.9% of patients admitted OFF-hours (
P
interaction
=0.20).

Conclusions:

Among patients with myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock, the risk of death or renal-replacement therapy at 30 days, and mortality at 1 year did not differ significantly according to the time of hospital admission.

Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01927549.
Two new species of Phaeosaccardinula from Southwest China

Authors: YANG HUI , WU HAI-XIA , DENG CHAO , ZHANG ZHI-CHANG , GU CHANG-HUA , WANG JIAN-MIN
Published: September 2020

Two new fungal species, Phaeosaccardinula dalbergiae and Phaeosaccardinula yunnanensis collected from Yunnan Province, China are described based on morphology and molecular data. They are compared with related taxa of Phaeosaccardinula. Detailed description, illustrations and notes are provided for each species. Molecular analysis based on the phylogenetic tree of combined internal transcribed spacer and large subunit nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences show that the two species form distinct clusters within the genus Phaeosaccardinula.
Begonia erythrobracteata (Begoniaceae) a new species from the Atlantic Coastal Forest in the state of São Paulo, Brazil

Authors: MIRANDA MARCELO DIAS , JACQUES ELIANE DE LIMA
Published: September 2020

Begonia erythrobracteata (Begoniaceae) is a new, narrow endemic from the Atlantic Coastal Forest of Brazil. This species is closely related to Begonia olsoniae and B. fimbritepala and shares their rupicolous habit and transversely ovate leaf blades with a cordate base. It differs to B. fimbritepala in its petioles, which are densely squamulose along their entire length (vs. with simple trichomes) and B. olsoniae by its glabrous (vs. pilose) adaxial leaf surface. B. erythrobracteata is described and illustrated with detailed field photographs, and a provisional IUCN Red List Assessment is provided.
Nomenclatural notes and lectotypification for Phyllanthus racemiger (Phyllanthaceae) in Brazil

Authors: MENDES JONE CLEBSON RIBEIRO , TORRES ALICIA MARQUES , ORLANDINI PRISCILA , DE SALES MARGARETH FERREIRA
Published: September 2020

As the taxonomic report of Phyllanthus is about to be published for Flora of Brazil online 2020, we wish to formalize lectotypification for one species of Phyllanthus and make amendment to the epithet.
Variable CD34+ recovery of cryopreserved allogeneic HPC products: transplant implications during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Purtill Duncan , Antonenas Vicki , Chiappini Paul , Tong Daochen , O’Flaherty Elizabeth , Bajel Ashish , Kabani Karieshma , Larsen Stephen , Tan Suikeat , Hutchins Cheryl , Curtis David J. , Kennedy Glen A. , Watson Anne-Marie , Bai LiJun , Greenwood Matthew , Gottlieb David J. , Hamad Nada
Published: September 2020

Donor registries and transplantation societies recommend cryopreservation of unrelated donor hemopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) products before the recipient commences conditioning therapy to mitigate the donor and travel risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. However, little is known regarding the postthaw quality of such allogeneic products or the effect of precryopreservation storage and processing on these characteristics. We investigated the postthaw CD34+ cell recovery and viability of 305 allogeneic HPC products cryopreserved at 9 laboratories across Australia. Median postthaw CD34+ cell recovery was 76% and ranged from 6% to 122%. Longer transit time before cryopreservation, white cell count (WCC) during storage, and complex product manipulation before cryopreservation were independently associated with inferior postthaw CD34+ cell recovery. Longer precryopreservation transit time and WCC were also associated with inferior postthaw CD34+ cell viability. We conclude that although postthaw CD34+ cell recovery and viability of cryopreserved allogeneic HPC is generally acceptable, there is a significant risk of poor postthaw product quality, associated with prolonged storage time, higher WCC, and complex product manipulation precryopreservation. Awareness of expected postthaw recovery and practices that influence it will assist collection, processing, and transplant centers in optimizing outcomes for transplant recipients.
Thermal Decomposition In Situ Monitoring System of the Gas Phase Cyclopentadienyl Tris(dimethylamino) Zirconium (CpZr(NMe2)3) Based on FT-IR and QMS for Atomic Layer Deposition
Authors: An Jong-Ki , Choi Eunmi , Shim Seob , Kim Hayeong , Kang Goru , Yun Ju-Young
Published: September 2020

We developed a newly designed system based on in situ monitoring with Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and quadrupole mass spectrometry (QMS) for understanding decomposition mechanism and by-products of vaporized Cyclopentadienyl Tris(dimethylamino) Zirconium (CpZr(NMe2)3) during the move to process chamber at various temperatures because thermal decomposition products of unwanted precursors can affect process reliability. The FT-IR data show that the –CH3 peak intensity decreases while the –CH2– and C=N peak intensities increase as the temperature is increased from 100 to 250 °C. This result is attributed to decomposition of the dimethylamido ligands. Based on the FT-IR data, it can also be assumed that a new decomposition product is formation at 250 °C. While in situ QMS analysis demonstrates that vaporized CpZr(NMe2)3 decomposes to N-ethylmethanimine rather than methylmethyleneimine. The in situ monitoring with FT-IR spectroscopy and QMS provides useful information for understanding the behavior and decomposes of CpZr(NMe2)3 in the gas phase, which was not proven before. The study to understand the decomposition of vaporized precursor is the first attempt and can be provided as useful information for improving the reliability of a high- advanced ultra-thin film deposition process using atomic layer deposition in the future.
ZnO UV Photodetectors Modified by Ag Nanoparticles Using All-Inkjet-Printing
Authors: Wang Hsiang-Chun , Hong Yuehua , Chen Zhangwei , Lao Changshi , Lu Youming , Yang Zhichao , Zhu Youhua , Liu Xinke
Published: September 2020

To further improve the performance of all-inkjet-printing ZnO UV photodetector and maintain the advantages of inkjet printing technology, the inkjet printing Ag nanoparticles (NPs) were deposited on the inkjet printing ZnO UV photodetector for the first time. The inkjet printing Ag NPs can passivate the surface defects of ZnO and work as surface plasmons from the characterization of photoluminescence (PL), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and finite difference time domain method (FDTD) simulation. The normalized detectivity (D*) of the Ag NP-modified detector reaches to 1.45 × 1010Jones at 0.715 mW incident light power, which is higher than that of 5.72 × 109Jones of the bare ZnO photodetector. The power-law relationship between the photocurrent and the incident light power of the Ag NP-modified ZnO detector isIpc ∝ P2.34, which means the photocurrent is highly sensitive to the change of incident light power.
Correction to: Safety and efficacy of ripasudil in Japanese patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension: 12-month interim analysis of ROCK-J, a post-marketing surveillance study
Authors: Tanihara Hidenobu , Kakuda Takahiko , Sano Tetsuro , Kanno Takashi , Gunji Ryoji
Published: September 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
cGAS-STING pathway in cancer biotherapy
Authors: Wang Yang , Luo Jingwen , Alu Aqu , Han Xuejiao , Wei Yuquan , Wei Xiawei
Published: September 2020

The activation of the cGAS-STING pathway has tremendous potential to improve anti-tumor immunity by generating type I interferons. In recent decades, we have witnessed that producing dsDNA upon various stimuli is an initiative factor, triggering the cGAS-SING pathway for a defensive host. The understanding of both intracellular cascade reaction and the changes of molecular components gains insight into type I IFNs and adaptive immunity. Based on the immunological study, the STING-cGAS pathway is coupled to cancer biotherapy. The most challenging problem is the limited therapeutic effect. Therefore, people view 5, 6-dimethylxanthenone-4-acetic acid, cyclic dinucleotides and various derivative as cGAS-STING pathway agonists. Even so, these agonists have flaws in decreasing biotherapeutic efficacy. Subsequently, we exploited agonist delivery systems (nanocarriers, microparticles and hydrogels). The article will discuss the activation of the cGAS-STING pathway and underlying mechanisms, with an introduction of cGAS-STING agonists, related clinical trials and agonist delivery systems.
Prosthetic temporomandibular joint reconstruction in a cohort of adolescent females with juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Authors: Lypka Michael , Shah Karina , Jones Jordan
Published: September 2020

Background

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthritis and involvement is commonly seen in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). Therapy includes conservative measures, but also includes intraarticular corticosteroid injections (IASI) and systemic immunosuppressive therapy. Despite aggressive medical therapy, some patients develop arthritic changes and frank TMJ ankylosis that can result in persistent pain and limitation in range of motion (ROM). A surgical option is prosthetic TMJ replacement with concurrent correction of dentofacial deformities, which can be performed simultaneously. The objective of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of prosthetic TMJ replacement in a cohort of adolescent females with JIA and severe TMJ involvement.

Methods

This is a retrospective case series that took place at one tertiary care center. Patients with a diagnosis of JIA who also underwent alloplastic TMJ replacement were identified through electronic medical record system (EMR) and reviewed. Chart review included analysis of all documents in the EMR, including demographic data, JIA history, surgical complications, ROM of TMJ measured by maximal incisal opening in millimeters (mm) and TMJ pain scores (4-point Likert scale: none, mild, moderate, severe) obtained pre- and postoperatively.

Results

Five female patients, ages 15–17 year when TMJ replacement was performed, had nine total joints replaced with a post-operative follow-up period of 12–30 months. All patients had polyarticular, seronegative JIA and were treated with IASI and multiple immunosuppressive therapies without resolution of TMJ symptoms. One patient had bilateral TMJ ankylosis. Three of the five patients demonstrated significant dentofacial deformities, and all underwent simultaneous or staged orthognathic surgery. All patients had improvement in TMJ pain with most (80%) reporting no pain, and all had similar or improved ROM of their TMJ postoperatively. There was one delayed postoperative infection with Cutibacterium Acnes that presented 15 months after surgery and required removal and reimplantation of prosthesis.

Conclusion

The sequelae of TMJ arthritis and involvement from JIA in the adolescent population can be difficult to treat. Current medical therapy can be successful, however, in select cases that develop chronic changes in the TMJ despite extensive medical therapy, early results show that prosthetic joint replacement maybe a reasonable surgical option. With prosthetic joint replacement pain levels were reduced and range of motion was maintained or improved for all patients.
Affective agnosia: a core affective processing deficit in the alexithymia spectrum
Authors: Lane Richard D. , Solms Mark , Weihs Karen L. , Hishaw Alex , Smith Ryan
Published: September 2020

Affective agnosia, an impairment in knowing how one feels emotionally, has been described as an extreme deficit in the experience and expression of emotion that may confer heightened risk for adverse medical outcomes. Alexithymia, by contrast, has been proposed as an over-arching construct that includes a spectrum of deficits of varying severity, including affective agnosia at the more severe end. This perspective has been challenged by Taylor and colleagues, who argue that the concept of affective agnosia is unnecessary. We compare these two perspectives by highlighting areas of agreement, reasons for asserting the importance of the affective agnosia concept, errors in Taylor and colleagues’ critique, and measurement issues. The need for performance-based measures of the ability to mentally represent emotional states in addition to metacognitive measures is emphasized. We then draw on a previously proposed three-process model of emotional awareness that distinguishes affective response generation, conceptualization and cognitive control processes which interact to produce a variety of emotional awareness and alexithymia phenotypes - including affective agnosia. The tools for measuring these three processes, their neural substrates, the mechanisms of brain-body interactions that confer heightened risk for adverse medical outcomes, and the differential treatment implications for different kinds of deficits are described. By conceptualizing alexithymia as a spectrum of deficits, the opportunity to match specific deficit mechanisms with personalized treatment for patients will be enhanced.
Estimation of daily intake of lycopene, antioxidant contents and activities from tomatoes, watermelons, and their processed products in Korea
Authors: Park Hyunjeong , Kim Young-Jun , Shin Youngjae
Published: September 2020

Tomatoes, watermelons, and processed tomato products contain abundant antioxidant compounds, including lycopene. In spite of the interest in the role of lycopene, little is known about the contribution of tomatoes and tomato products commonly consumed in Korea to the intake of lycopene. In this study, the daily per capita intake values of lycopene and antioxidant compounds and activities of tomatoes, watermelons, and their processed products in Korea were estimated. The daily per capita intake values of lycopene from raw tomatoes, watermelons, tomato ketchup, and tomato juice were measured to be 1.07, 0.54, 0.26, and 0.08 mg/capita/day, respectively. The average lycopene intake of male and female were 1.98 and 1.92 mg/capita/day, respectively. The daily per capita intake value of total phenolics was highest in raw tomatoes (7.21 mg/capita/day), followed by watermelons (1.72 mg/capita/day), tomato ketchup (1.41 mg/capita/day), and tomato juice (0.80 mg/capita/day). The daily per capita intake value of total antioxidant activities also showed a similar pattern to total phenolic results. The overall daily per capita intake of antioxidant content and activities was affected by both the daily per capita intake of each product and the levels of antioxidant content and activities of each product. The daily per capita intake of these products in Korea is currently considerably low, compared to the U.S. and Europe. Thus, an adequate consumption of lycopene-rich products is recommended.
Decision making on financial investment in Turkey by using ARDL long-term coefficients and AHP
Authors: Atmaca Serkan , Karadaş Hacı Ahmet
Published: September 2020

Mathematical modeling methods are frequently used for solving everyday problems. Decision making, one such method, can be used in every aspect of life for different scales such as micro (households), medium (companies), and macro (states) decisions. Due to the large number of parameters affecting decision, it is possible to make mistakes in the selection of the appropriate investment instrument with classical methods; hence, scarce resources may be wasted, and sometimes it may even be impossible to make a decision. This study seeks to answer the question “Which financial investment instrument should be selected under the current conditions?” using decision making problems. Factors affecting gold, USD, and EURO, which are selected as the financial investment instruments in Turkey, are examined using the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) bound test. The selected variables are monthly and belong to the January 2009 to May 2018 period. The ARDL results show that the selected financial investment instruments are affected by most of the factors separately. By using the coefficients obtained from the ARDL model, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) model was established. According to the results of the model, the EURO was determined as the most suitable financial investment for Ahmet and others with the same preferences.
A case report of a perigraft inflammatory reaction to a Viabahn stent-graft: diagnosis with MRI and treatment with steroids
Authors: Yamamoto Tetsuya , Uzu Kenzo , Sawada Takahiro , Takaya Tomofumi , Kawai Hiroya
Published: September 2020

Background

Perigraft inflammatory reactions to prosthetic graft materials in vascular surgery have been reported; however, to our knowledge, this is the first report of a perigraft inflammatory reaction to a Viabahn stent-graft used in a superficial femoral artery occlusion lesion.

Case presentation

A 76-year-old man with right leg claudication was diagnosed with a right superficial femoral artery occlusion via contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Endovascular treatment included intravascular ultrasound for passing through the true lumen. A 25-cm Viabahn stent-graft (diameter 5 mm) was implanted. The patient developed pain and local swelling of the right thigh 5 days after endovascular treatment. Blood analysis revealed elevated inflammatory marker levels. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed extensive soft-tissue edema and a high perivascular T2 signal around the right superficial femoral artery. Clinical symptoms resolved within 7 days after initiating steroid therapy, which was gradually decreased and halted after 3 weeks. Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated substantially reduced inflammation over the following months.

Conclusions

Perigraft inflammatory reaction to a Viabahn stent-graft implant can be immediately diagnosed via magnetic resonance imaging and treated with steroids to reduce the possibility of stent-graft occlusion.
Pelvic vein embolization: an assessment of the readability and quality of online information for patients
Authors: Lee R. J. , O’Neill D. C. , Brassil M. , Alderson J. , Lee M. J.
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Pelvic congestion syndrome is a controversial topic. Pelvic vein embolization is a minimally invasive treatment for pelvic congestion syndrome. We aimed to assess the quality of information available on the Internet and determine how accessible information provided by the main IR societies was to patients.

Materials and methods

The most commonly used term relating to pelvic vein embolization was searched across the five most-used English language search engines, with the first 25 web pages returned by each engine included for analysis. Duplicate web pages, nontext content and web pages behind paywalls were excluded. Web pages were analyzed for quality and readability using validated tools: DISCERN score, JAMA Benchmark Criteria, HONcode Certification, Flesch Reading Ease Score, Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level, and Gunning–Fog Index.

Results

The most common applicable term was “Pelvic Vein Embolization”. Mean DISCERN quality of information provided by websites is “fair”. Flesh–Kincaid readability tests and Gunning–Fog Index demonstrated an average “college level” of reading ease. HON code certification was demonstrated in less than one third of web pages. Professional societies and scientific journals demonstrated the highest average JAMA and DISCERN scores, while for-profit organizations and healthcare providers demonstrated the lowest. Only information from 1 of 3 interventional societies was included in the first 25 search engine pages.

Conclusion

The quality of information available online to patients is “fair” and outside of scientific journals the majority of web pages do not meet the JAMA benchmark criteria. These findings call for the production of high-quality and comprehensible content regarding interventional radiology, where physicians can reliably direct their patients for information.
Pediatric Solid Tumor Care and Multidisciplinary Tumor Boards in Low- and Middle-Income Countries in Southeast Asia
Authors: Othman Mohd Yusran , Blair Sally , Nah Shireen A. , Ariffin Hany , Assanasen Chatchawin , Soh Shui Yen , Jacobsen Anette S. , Lam Catherine , Loh Amos H. P.
Published: September 2020

PURPOSE

Pediatric solid tumors require coordinated multidisciplinary specialist care. However, expertise and resources to conduct multidisciplinary tumor boards (MDTBs) are lacking in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We aimed to profile the landscape of pediatric solid tumor care and practices and perceptions on MDTBs among pediatric solid tumor units (PSTUs) in Southeast Asian LMICs.

METHODS

Using online surveys, availability of specialty manpower and MDTBs among PSTUs was first determined. From the subset of PSTUs with MDTBs, one pediatric surgeon and one pediatric oncologist from each center were queried using 5-point Likert scale questions adapted from published questionnaires.

RESULTS

In 37 (80.4%) of 46 identified PSTUs, availability of pediatric-trained specialists was as follows: oncologists, 94.6%; surgeons, 91.9%; radiologists, 54.1%; pathologists, 40.5%; radiation oncologists, 29.7%; nuclear medicine physicians, 13.5%; and nurses, 81.1%. Availability of pediatric-trained surgeons, radiologists, and pathologists was significantly associated with the existence of MDTBs ( P = .037, .005, and .022, respectively). Among 43 (89.6%) of 48 respondents from 24 PSTUs with MDTBs, 90.5% of oncologists reported > 50% oncology-dedicated workload versus 22.7% of surgeons. Views on benefits and barriers did not significantly differ between oncologists and surgeons. The majority agreed that MDTBs helped to improve accuracy of treatment recommendations and team competence. Complex cases, insufficient radiology and pathology preparation, and need for supplementary investigations were the top barriers.

CONCLUSION

This first known profile of pediatric solid tumor care in Southeast Asia found that availability of pediatric-trained subspecialists was a significant prerequisite for pediatric MDTBs in this region. Most PSTUs lacked pediatric-trained pathologists and radiologists. Correspondingly, gaps in radiographic and pathologic diagnoses were the most common limitations for MDTBs. Greater emphasis on holistic multidisciplinary subspecialty development is needed to advance pediatric solid tumor care in Southeast Asia.
Framework to aid analysis and interpretation of ongoing COVID-19 research
Authors: Yates Thomas , Zaccardi Francesco , Razieh Cameron , Gillies Clare L. , Rowlands Alex , Kloecker David E. , Chudasama Yogini V. , Davies Melanie J. , Khunti Kamlesh
Published: September 2020

The global coronavirus pandemic has precipitated a rapid unprecedented research response, including investigations into risk factors for COVID-19 infection, severity, or death. However, results from this research have produced heterogeneous findings, including articles published in Wellcome Open Research. Here, we use ethnicity, obesity, and smoking as illustrative examples to demonstrate how a research question can produce very different answers depending on how it is framed. For example, these factors can be both strongly associated or have a null association with death due to COVID-19, even when using the same dataset and statistical modelling. Highlighting the reasons underpinning this apparent paradox provides an important framework for reporting and interpreting ongoing COVID-19 research.
EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF COAGULATION OF PARTICLES IN A MAGNETIC SEDIMENTATION
Authors: Masyutkin Evgeniy , Avdeev Boris
Published: September 2020

In agriculture, a large number of different lubricating and cooling liquids are used in the operation, maintenance and repair of agricultural machinery. In the process of use, technical fluids become contaminated with foreign impurities and require periodic cleaning. Magnetic sedimentation tanks are well suited for this. The studies were carried out in order to determine the parameters (the magnitude and gradient of the magnetic field strength, the height of the apparatus, the concentration of particles), at which coagulation of particles is observed in a non-uniform magnetic settler. The experiments were carried out on a laboratory setup for studying coagulation in the working area of a magnetic sump. For a given magnetic system, the geometric dimensions of the apparatus were determined in such a way that the magnetic field acts in the entire working volume of the sump and effectively traps foreign metal impurities. The value of the magnetic induction of the field B is proportional to the square of the distance from the investigated point to the pole of the electromagnet Н0. At a distance of 300 mm and further, the magnetic force has almost no effect on the particle, so the height of the sump should be less. The lowest magnetic induction is observed in the middle of the coil. A decrease in the current in the winding entails a reduction in the length of the floccule; magnetic coagulation takes place when the concentration of particles in the coolant is more than 0.3 g/l, with a lower content, it is not observed due to significant distances between the particles; the effect of coagulation is noted in the entire area of action of the magnetic field, while the length of the floccules decreases with a decrease in concentration. The distance at which the effect of coagulation between particles is observed is determined by a complex function that depends on the current in the winding, the field strength, their distance from the pole of the electromagnet, and also on the size of the particles.