bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wernicke’s encephalopathy-induced hearing loss complicating sleeve gastrectomy
Authors: Mohammed Elaf Abdulnabi , Hajji Sulaiman Ali , Aljenaee Khaled , Ghanbar Mohammad Ibrahim
Published: September 2020

A 25-year-old woman brought to the hospital with symptoms of acute confusion, disorientation, diplopia, hearing loss and unsteady gait which started 4 days prior to her presentation with rapid worsening in its course until the day of admission. She had a surgical history of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy 2 months earlier which was complicated by persistent vomiting around one to three times per day. She lost 30 kg of her weight over 2 months and was not compliant to vitamin supplementation. CT of the brain was unremarkable. Brain MRI was done which showed high signal intensity lesions involving the bilateral thalamic regions symmetrically with restricted diffusion on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery imaging. Other radiological investigations, such as magnetic resonance venography and magnetic resonance angiography of the brain were unremarkable. An official audiogram confirmed the sensorineural hearing loss. A diagnosis of Wernicke’s encephalopathy due to thiamin deficiency post-sleeve gastrectomy was made based on the constellation of her medical background, clinical presentation and further supported by the distinct MRI findings. Consequently, serum thiamin level was requested and intravenous thiamin 500 mg three times per day for six doses was started empirically, then thiamin 250 mg intravenously once daily given for 5 more days. Marked improvement in cognition, eye movements, strength and ambulation were noticed soon after therapy. She was maintained on a high caloric diet with calcium, magnesium oxide, vitamin D supplements and oral thiamin with successful recovery of the majority of her neurological function with normal cognition, strength, reflexes, ocular movements, but had minimal resolution of her hearing deficit. Serum thiamin level later was 36 nmol/L (67–200).
Case of relapsing sulfasalazine-induced hypersensitivity syndrome upon re-exposure
Authors: Winward Jason , Lyckholm Laurel , Brown Samuel M , Mokadem Mohamad
Published: September 2020

Sulfasalazine-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (SIHS) is a serious systemic delayed adverse drug reaction that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Here, we report the first case, to our knowledge, of a patient with previously unidentified SIHS who developed a significantly more rapid and extreme recurrence on re-exposure to sulfasalazine. The patient is a 58-year-old woman with asymptomatic Crohn’s disease who, 10 days after initiating sulfasalazine, developed fevers, diffuse rash, pancytopenia, hypotension and hepatitis without a definitive source of infection. Sixteen days after her first hospitalisation, she was restarted on sulfasalazine and was readmitted within 10 hours with a similar but more serious presentation, requiring vasopressors. She did recover completely without any further recurrence to date, after definitively discontinuing sulfasalazine. This case demonstrates the importance of recognising SIHS early in patients to prevent re-exposure to sulfasalazine and to ensure timely initiation of appropriate treatment.
Severe thrombocytopaenia secondary to COVID-19
Authors: Patel Trupesh , Stanton Noah , Gkikas Ioannis , Triantafyllopoulou Diana Ioanna Dionysia
Published: September 2020

The SARS-CoV-2 infection has caused a pandemic with a case rate of over 290 000 lab-confirmed cases and over 40 000 deaths in the UK. There is little evidence to inform the optimal management of a patient presenting with new or relapsed acute idiopathic thrombocytopaenic purpura with concurrent SARS-CoV-2 infection. We present a case of severe thrombocytopaenia complicated by subdural haematoma and rectal bleed associated with COVID-19. A 67-year-old man, admitted with a non-productive cough and confusion, was found to be positive for COVID-19. Ten days after admission, his platelets decreased from 146×109/L to 2×109/L. His platelets did not increase despite receiving frequent platelet transfusions. He was non-responsive to corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulins. Romiplostim and eltrombopag were given and after 9 weeks of treatment, his platelet count normalised. He was deemed medically fit with outpatient follow-up in a haematology clinic.
Cost-effectiveness of surveillance with CT colonography after resection of colorectal cancer
Authors: Kuntz Karen M , Popp Jonah , Beck J Robert , Zauber Ann G , Weinberg David S
Published: September 2020

Objective

Surveillance following colorectal cancer (CRC) resection uses optical colonoscopy (OC) to detect intraluminal disease and CT to detect extracolonic recurrence. CT colonography (CTC) might be an efficient use of resources in this situation because it allows for intraluminal and extraluminal evaluations with one test.

Design

We developed a simulation model to compare lifetime costs and benefits for a cohort of patients with resected CRC. Standard of care involved annual CT for 3 years and OC for years 1, 4 and every 5 years thereafter. For the CTC-based strategy, we replace CT+OC at year 1 with CTC. Patients with lesions greater than 6 mm detected by CTC underwent OC. Detection of an adenoma 10 mm or larger was followed by OC at 1 year, then every 3 years thereafter. Test characteristics and costs for CTC were derived from a clinical study. Medicare costs were used for cancer care costs as well as alternative test costs. We discounted costs and effects at 3% per year.

Results

For persons with resected stage III CRC, the standard-of-care strategy was more costly (US$293) and effective (2.6 averted CRC cases and 1.1 averted cancer deaths per 1000) than the CTC-based strategy, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of US$55 500 per quality-adjusted life-year gained. Our analysis was most sensitive to the sensitivity of CTC for detecting polyps 10 mm or larger and assumptions about disease progression.

Conclusion

In a simulation model, we found that replacing the standard-of-care approach to postdiagnostic surveillance with a CTC-based strategy is not an efficient use of resources in most situations.
Screening for monoclonal B-lymphocyte expansion in a hospital-based Chinese population with lymphocytosis: an observational cohort study
Authors: Xu Jiadai , Li Jing , Wei Zheng , Wang Yue , Liu Peng
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Screening of monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL) has improved the early detection of B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders (B-LPDs). This study was designed to find the most cost-effective way to screen for asymptomatic B-LPD.

Design

Observational study.

Setting

A lymphocytosis screening project was conducted at a large-scale hospital among the Chinese population.

Participants

For 10 consecutive working days in 2018, 22 809 adult patients who received a complete blood count (CBC) were reviewed. These patients were selected from the outpatient, inpatient and health examination departments of a National Medical Centre in China.

Results

A total of 254 patients (1.1%, 254/22 809) were found to have lymphocytosis (absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) >3.5×109/L). Among them, a population of circulating monoclonal B-lymphocytes were detected in 14 patients, with 4 having chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and 10 having MBL, indicating an overall prevalence of 5.5% for B-LPD (3.9% for MBL). The prevalence of CLL among the elderly patients with lymphocytosis (≥60 years) was determined to be 4.3% (4/92). In the patients over 60 years of age, the prevalence of MBL was found to be 8.7%. CD5 (−) non-CLL-like MBL was observed to be the most common subtype (8, 80%), followed by CLL-like phenotype (1, 10.0%) and atypical CLL phenotype (1, 10.0%). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for the CBC results revealed that the ALC of 4.7×109/L may serve as the optimal and cost-effective cut-off for screening for early-stage asymptomatic B-LPD.

Conclusion

In Chinese patients with lymphocytosis, there was a relatively high proportion of patients with CLL among individuals over 60 years of age. MBL is an age-related disorder. Non-CLL-like MBL was the most common MBL subtype, almost all of whom displayed a pattern of ‘marginal zone lymphoma (MZL)-like’ MBL. Lymphocytosis screening among the elderly would be effective in the detection of B-LPD and MBL.
Climate and size of previous cone crops contribute to large-scale synchronous cone production in balsam fir
Authors: Bouchard Mathieu , Pernot Clémentine
Published: September 2020

Mast year occurrence in trees is often synchronized across large regions. In this study, we used dendrochronological methods based on cone scar characteristics on tree branches in order to reconstruct male and female cone production in balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) during the period 1988–2018. Results indicate that mast years generally occur every second year and can be synchronized across distances >1000 km. The main predictors of current-year cone abundance were cone abundance during the two previous years, which can be considered a proxy for resource availability for cone bud development during the current year, together with relatively warm temperature during cone bud development. Presence of aborted male cones was positively correlated with the occurrence of relatively cold episodes during cone bud development. This finding suggests that the influence of weather on cone crop abundance is at least partly mediated by growth cessation in the developing cone buds. We also suggest that a change in weather patterns before and after the 2005–2010 period is responsible for a switch in mast years from even to uneven calendar years around that time.
Early response of Nothofagus antarctica forests to thinning intensity in northern Patagonia
Authors: Goldenberg Matías G. , Nacif Marcos E. , Oddi Facundo J. , Garibaldi Lucas A.
Published: September 2020

Nothofagus antarctica (G. Forst.) Oerst. stands of northern Patagonia (Argentina) have great potential to provide multiple ecosystem services. Nonetheless, the lack of basic information limits the application of silvicultural treatments to this forest type. This study reports the early response to three systematic strip thinning treatments (30%, 50%, and 70%) carried out during 2013 in a 30-year-old N. antarctica stand, where control plots (i.e., no thinning) were also established. Subplots were located within each plot. Basal diameters (BD) of all retained stems were measured in the non-vegetative season (winter) of 2016, 2017, and 2018 to calculate basal diameter annual increment (BDI) and stand volume growth. BDI ranged from 1.9 mm·year−1 in the control plots to 2.7 mm·year−1 at 70% thinning. Relative BDI also responded positively to thinning intensity. Stand volume growth decreased non-linearly with thinning intensity from 3.36 m3·ha−1·year−1 in the control plots to 0.71 m3·ha−1·year−1 when thinning was 70%. Smaller differences were observed between control plots, 30% thinning, and 50% thinning. Our results show that N. antarctica forests, in the stem exclusion stage, respond to strip thinning. Thus, silviculture based on this management system could favor the development of retained trees without losing productivity if it remains under 50% intensity. This outcome represents an important incremental contribution to the design of silvicultural interventions in northern Patagonia.
Data driven flavour model
Authors: Arias-Aragón F. , Bouthelier-Madre C. , Cano J. M. , Merlo L.
Published: September 2020

A bottom-up approach has been adopted to identify a flavour model that agrees with present experimental measurements. The charged fermion mass hierarchies suggest that only the top Yukawa term should be present at the renormalisable level. Similarly, describing the lightness of the active neutrinos through the type-I Seesaw mechanism, right-handed neutrino mass terms should also be present at the renormalisable level. The flavour symmetry of the Lagrangian including the fermionic kinetic terms and only the top Yukawa is then a combination of U(2) and U(3) factors. Once considering the Majorana neutrino terms, the associated symmetry is O(3). Lighter charged fermion and active neutrino masses and quark and lepton mixings arise considering specific spurion fields à la Minimal Flavour Violation. The associated phenomenology is investigated and the model turns out to have almost the same flavour protection as the Minimal Flavour Violation in both quark and lepton sectors. Promoting the spurions to dynamical fields, the associated scalar potential is also studied and a minimum is identified such that fermion masses and mixings are correctly reproduced. Very precise predictions for the Majorana phases follow from the minimisation of the scalar potential and thus the neutrinoless-double-beta decay may represent a smoking gun for the model.
Holographic map for cosmological horizons
Authors: Liu Chang , Lowe David A.
Published: September 2020

We propose a holographic map between Einstein gravity coupled to matter in a de Sitter background and large N quantum mechanics of a system of spins. Holography maps a spin model with a finite-dimensional Hilbert space defined on a version of the stretched horizon into bulk gravitational dynamics. The full Hamiltonian of the spin model contains a nonlocal piece which generates chaotic dynamics, widely conjectured to be a necessary part of quantum gravity, and a local piece which recovers the perturbative spectrum in the bulk.
Latent Unexpected Recommendations
Authors: Li Pan , Tuzhilin Alexander
Published: September 2020

Unexpected recommender system constitutes an important tool to tackle the problem of filter bubbles and user boredom, which aims at providing unexpected and satisfying recommendations to target users at the same time. Previous unexpected recommendation methods only focus on the straightforward relations between current recommendations and user expectations by modeling unexpectedness in the feature space, thus resulting in the loss of accuracy measures to improve unexpectedness performance. In contrast to these prior models, we propose to model unexpectedness in the latent space of user and item embeddings, which allows us to capture hidden and complex relations between new recommendations and historic purchases. In addition, we develop a novel Latent Closure (LC) method to construct a hybrid utility function and provide unexpected recommendations based on the proposed model. Extensive experiments on three real-world datasets illustrate superiority of our proposed approach over the state-of-the-art unexpected recommendation models, which leads to significant increase in unexpectedness measure without sacrificing any accuracy metric under all experimental settings in this article.
Language Development in Context
Authors: Rowe Meredith L. , Weisleder Adriana
Published: September 2020

Young children learn to communicate in the language(s) of their communities, yet the individual trajectories of language development and the particular language varieties and modes of communication children acquire vary depending on the contexts in which they live. This review describes how context shapes language development. Building on the bioecological model of development, we conceptualize context as a set of nested systems surrounding the child, from the national policies and cultural norms that shape the broader environment to the particular communicative interactions in which children experience language being used. In addition, we describe how children's developing sensory-motor, perceptual, and social-cognitive capacities respond to and are tuned by the surrounding environment. Closer integration of research on the mechanisms of language learning with investigation of the contexts in which this learning takes place will provide critical insights into the process of language development.
A Facile, Dry-Processed Lithium Borate-Based Cathode Coating for Improved All-Solid-State Battery Performance
Authors: Wu Erik A. , Jo Chiho , Tan Darren H. S. , Zhang Minghao , Doux Jean-Marie , Chen Yu-Ting , Deysher Grayson , Meng Ying Shirley
Published: September 2020

Sulfide-based solid electrolytes are known to have narrow electrochemical windows which limit their practical use in all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs). Specifically, when paired with a high-voltage transition metal oxide (TMO) cathode, the electrolyte will typically undergo unwanted degradation via chemical reactions or electrochemical oxidation, especially upon charging to voltages beyond the electrochemical stability window of the electrolyte. To mitigate these undesired reactions, thin (<10 nm), conformal, ionically-conducting, and electronically-insulating oxide-based protective coating layers have been applied on the cathode, typically via a solution process. In this work, a lithium borate-based (LBO) coating, prepared instead with a dry coating process, was shown to have the same beneficial properties. As evidenced by electrochemical characterization, the developed LBO coating shows good cycling performance and even performs better than the LiNbO3 coating commonly used in the literature. This new solvent-free coating method can thus be used to fabricate longer-lasting ASSBs.
Task Offloading Strategy of 6G Heterogeneous Edge-Cloud Computing Model considering Mass Customization Mode Collaborative Manufacturing Environment
Authors: Zhou Hang , Xiang Yong , Li Hao-Feng , Yuan Rong
Published: September 2020

With the continuous integration of cloud computing, edge computing, and Internet of things (IoT), various mobile applications will emerge in future 6G network. Driven by real-time response and low energy consumption requirements, mobile edge-cloud computing (MECC) will play an important role to improve user experience and reduce costs. However, due to the complexity of applications, the computing capacity of devices cannot meet the low-latency and low energy consumption requirement. Meanwhile, subject to the limited supplement of power and energy system, the heterogeneous multilayer mobile edge-cloud computing (HetMECC) is proposed to join cloud server, edge server, and terminal devices for data calculation and transmission. By dividing computing tasks, terminal applications can receive reliable and efficient computing services. The simulation results show that the proposed model can achieve the low-latency requirement of data calculation and transmission and improve the robustness of architecture.
Pregnancy Outcomes among Patients with Sickle Cell Disease in Brazzaville
Authors: Galiba Atipo Tsiba F. O. , Itoua C. , Ehourossika C. , Ngakegni N. Y. , Buambo G. , Potokoue Mpia N. S. B. , Elira Dokekias A.
Published: September 2020

Introduction. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most common genetic diseases in the world. It combines, in its homozygous form, chronic hemolytic anemia, vasoocclusive complications, and susceptibility to infections. It is well known that the combination of pregnancy and sickle cell disease promotes the occurrence of complications that are sometimes fatal for the mother and/or the fetus. Objective. The objective of the current study was to compare pregnancy outcomes among women with SCD with those of women without the diagnosis of SCD. Materials and methods. It was a case-control study carried out in four maternity hospitals in Brazzaville in 2 years (July 2017–June 2019). It concerned 65 parturients with SS homozygous SCD. The mode of childbirth and maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality were compared with those of 130 non-sickle cell pregnant women. Results. The average age was 27 years for SCD women and 31 years for non-SCD women. The average gestational age at delivery was 35 weeks for SCD women and 38 weeks for non-SCD women. From the logistic regression analysis using the comparison group as the reference group, there was excessive risk in SCD compared to non-SCD of infection (29.3% vs. 4.6%, OR = 21.7, 95% CI [7.6–62.7]; p=0.001), cesarean (63% vs. 35.4%, OR = 3.1, 95% CI [1.6–5.7]; p=0.001), prematurity (75.4% vs. 30.8%, OR = 8, 95% CI [3.0–23.2]; p=0.001), low birth weight (52.3% vs. 16.1%, OR = 4.7, 95% CI [2.4–9.4]; p=0.001), neonatal requiring admission to the intensive care unit (40.3% vs. 17.5%, OR = 3.2, 95% CI [1.6–6.3]; p=0.01), and neonatal death (21.5% vs. 4.8%, OR = 4.3, 95% CI [1.5–12.2]; p=0.01). Conclusion. The risk of pregnancy in patients with homozygous sickle cell anemia remains high, on both the maternal and fetal sides.
Numerical Simulation of the Fractional Dispersion Advection Equations Based on the Lattice Boltzmann Model
Authors: Wang Boyu , Zhang Jianying , Yan Guangwu
Published: September 2020

The fractional dispersion advection equations (FDAEs) have recently attracted considerable attention due to their extensive application in the fields of science and engineering. For example, it has been shown that the anomalous solute transport behaviour that exists in hydrology can be well explained by introducing FDAEs. Therefore, the study of FDAEs has profound significance for understanding real transport phenomena in nature. Nevertheless, the existing algorithms for the FDAEs are generally intricate and costly. Therefore, exploiting an efficient solution technique has been a concern for scientists. In an effort to overcome this challenge, a promising lattice Boltzmann (LB) model for the FDAEs is presented in this paper. The Riemann–Liouville definition and the Grünwald–Letnikov definition are introduced for the time derivatives. In addition, Chapman–Enskog analysis is applied to recover the FDAEs. To test the validity of the model, three numerical examples are carried out. In addition, a comparative study of the proposed model and the classical implicit finite difference scheme is also conducted. The numerical results show that the model is suitable for simulating FDAEs.
The Effect of Exercise on the Older Adult’s Blood Pressure Suffering Hypertension: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Clinical Trial Studies
Authors: Kazeminia Mohsen , Daneshkhah Alireza , Jalali Rostam , Vaisi-Raygani Aliakbar , Salari Nader , Mohammadi Masoud
Published: September 2020

Background. Senescence refers to spontaneous and progressive irreversible degenerative changes in which both the physical and psychological power diminish significantly. Hypertension is the most common cardiovascular disease in the elderly. Several studies have been conducted regarding the effect of exercise on reducing the blood pressure of the elderly, which have found contradictory results. One of the uses of meta-analysis study is responding to these assumptions and resolving the discrepancies. Accordingly, the aim of the present study is to determine the impact of exercise on the blood pressure of older adults. Method. In this research, in order to find electronic published papers from 1992 to 2019, the papers published in both domestic and foreign databases including SID, MagIran, IranMedex, IranDox, Gogole Scholar, Cohrane, Embase, Science Direct, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science (ISI) were used. Heterogeneity index between the studies was determined based on Cochran test Q(c) and I2. Considering existence of heterogeneity, random effects model was employed to estimate the standardized subtraction of the mean exercise test score for reduction of blood pressure in the older adults across the intervention group before and after the test. Results. In this meta-analysis and systematic review, eventually 69 papers met the inclusion criteria. The total number of participants was 2272 in the pre- and postintervention groups when examining the systolic changes and 2252 subjects in the pre- and postintervention groups when inspecting the diastolic changes. The standardized mean difference in examining the systolic changes before the intervention was 137.1 ± 8.09 and 132.98 ± 0.96 after the intervention; when exploring the diastolic changes, the pre- and postintervention values were 80.3 ± 0.85 and 76.0 ± 6.56, respectively, where these differences were statistically significant (P<0.01). Conclusion. The results of this study indicated that exercise leads to significant reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Accordingly, regular exercise can be part of the treatment plan for hypertensive elderly.
Private Function Evaluation Using Intel’s SGX
Authors: Selo Omar Abou , Rachid Maan Haj , Shikfa Abdullatif , Wang Yongge , Malluhi Qutaibah
Published: September 2020

Private Function Evaluation (PFE) is the problem of evaluating one party’s private data using a private function owned by another party. Existing solutions for PFE are based on universal circuits evaluated in secure multiparty computations or on hiding the circuit’s topology and the gate’s functionality through additive homomorphic encryption. These solutions, however, are not efficient enough for practical use; hence there is a need for more efficient techniques. This work looks at utilizing the Intel Software Guard Extensions platform (SGX) to provide a more practical solution for PFE where the privacy of the data and the function are both preserved. Notably, our solution carefully avoids the pitfalls of side-channel attacks on SGX. We present solutions for two different scenarios: the first is when the function’s owner has an SGX-enabled device and the other is when a third party (or one of the data owners) has the SGX capability. Our results show a clear expected advantage in terms of running time for the first case over the second. Investigating the slowdown in the second case leads to the garbling time which constitutes more than 60% of the consumed time. Both solutions clearly outperform FairplayPF in our tests.
Fracture Analysis of Griffith Interface Crack in Fine-Grained Piezoelectric Coating/Substrate under Thermal Loading
Authors: Hu Shuaishuai , Liu Jiansheng , Li Junlin
Published: September 2020

Coating often plays a role in monitoring and protecting substrates in engineering applications. Interface cracks between the coating and the substrate can lead to crack growth under the action of external loading and will cause device failure. In this paper, the behavior of a fine-grained piezoelectric coating/substrate with a Griffith interface crack under steady-state thermal loading is studied. The temperature field, displacement field, and electric field of the coupling of thermal and electromechanical problems are constructed via integral transformation and the principle of superposition. Thus, problems are transformed into a system of singular integral equations, and the expressions of thermal intensity factor, thermal stress intensity factor, and electric displacement intensity factor are obtained. We used a numerical calculation and a system of singular equations to obtain the relationship of strength factor with material parameters, coating thickness, and crack size.
The Study on Early‐Age Expansion and Shrinkage Model of Massive Self‐Compacting Concrete Pumped in Steel Tube Column
Authors: He Zhen-jun , Ding Meng-jia , Wang Zhen-wei , Zhang Xue-sheng , Cao Mei-gen , Lei Ming-wei
Published: September 2020

Massive self‐compacting concrete pumped in steel tube columns has been used more and more widely in super high‐rise buildings and bridge engineering at present. The early‐age expansion and shrinkage performance of its core mass concrete is an important index to ensure the stress state of triaxial compression and structural safety. However, no relevant reports have been found. In view of the actual building with the height of 265.15 meters, the early‐age expansion and shrinkage tests of the massive self‐compacting concrete pumped in full‐scale columns with the height of 12.54 m and 12.24 m and diameter of 1.3 m and 1.6 m were carried out by means of strain gauges embedded in concrete‐filled steel tubes (CFSTs). The early‐age variation regularity of the vertical and horizontal expansion and shrinkage strains for the core concrete with the diameter of steel tube, development time, temperature, the pouring pressure, expansion stress, and so on is given. The calculation model of its early‐age deformation strains is presented in this paper, which is in good agreement with the experimental results. It provides the basis of experimental and theoretical analyses for shrinkage compensation of massive self‐compacting concrete pumped in steel tube columns.
Efficacy and Safety of Duhuo Jisheng Decoction for Postmenopausal Osteoporosis: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Li Jinyu , Wang Wei , Feng Guiyu , Du Jian , Kang Shengqian , Li Zhe , Zhu Weifeng , Shang Hongcai
Published: September 2020

Aim. To evaluate the effects and medication safety of Duhuo Jisheng Decoction (DHJSD) alone or as a combination therapy with other interventions on the related clinical index in postmenopausal osteoporosis condition. Methods. Search in CNKI, WanFang, CBM, VIP, PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases and randomized controlled trials where at least one group received any form of DHJSD for postmenopausal osteoporosis condition. Risk of bias was based on the Cochrane handbook, the quality of evidence was assessed by the GRADEpro online, and analyses were performed by RevMan 5.3 software. Results. Eight studies were enrolled with 650 participants. DHJSD alone or with other interventions had a significant effect on BMD of the lumbar spine (MD = 0.46, 95%CI (0.24, 0.68), P < 0.0001), E2 (SMD = 0.49, 95%CI (0.30, 0.68), P < 0.0001), and clinical effectiveness (OR = 5.07, 95%CI (3.07, 8.35), P < 0.0001). However, no effect at BGP (MD = −0.84, 95%CI (−1.69, 0.00), P = 0.05) was seen. Conclusion. The pooled estimate suggested that DHJSD combined with conventional medical therapies has a certain clinical curative effect on postmenopausal osteoporosis. However, considering the unsatisfactory quality of included trials, more high‐quality trials are needed to elucidate this issue.
Prevalence and Determinants of Low Birth Weight in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Katiso Nuradin Abusha , Kassa Getachew Mullu , Fekadu Gedefaw Abeje , Kidanemariam Berhe Abadi , Muche Achenef Asmamaw
Published: September 2020

Introduction. Low birth weight (LBW) is the most significant risk factor for neonatal and infant mortality. It is one of the major public health problems in developing countries. Although there are various studies on low birth weight, findings were inconsistent and inconclusive. Therefore, this study was conducted to estimate the national-pooled prevalence of low birth weight and its associated factors in Ethiopia. Method. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline was followed. This meta-analysis employed a review of both published and unpublished studies conducted in Ethiopia. The databases used were PubMed, Google Scholar, CINAHL, and African Journals Online. Relevant search terms for prevalence and determinants of LBW were used to retrieve articles. The meta-analysis was conducted using STATA 14 software. Forest plots were used to present the findings. The Cochran Q test and I2 test statistics were used to test heterogeneity across studies. Egger’s test was used to assess the publication bias of included studies. The pooled prevalence and the odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed and were presented using forest plots. Results. A total of 28 studies, 50,110 newborn babies, were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of LBW in Ethiopia was 14.1% (95% CI = 11.2, 17.1). Higher variation in the prevalence of LBW in different regions across the country was observed. Significant association of LBW with sex of the newborn baby, higher odds among female babies (OR = 1.5 (95% CI = 1.2, 1.7)), prematurity (OR = 4.7 (95% CI = 1.5, 14.5)), not attending prenatal care (OR = 1.7 (95% CI = 1.4, 2.2)), pregnancy-induced hypertension (OR = 6.7 (95% CI = 3.5, 12.9)), and newborn babies whose mothers were from rural areas (OR = 1.8 (95% CI = 1.2, 2.6) were the factors associated with low birth weight. Conclusions. The prevalence of LBW in Ethiopia was high. LBW was associated with several maternal and newborn characteristics. The large disparity of LBW among the different regions in the country needs targeted intervention in areas with higher prevalence. Particular emphasis should be given to mothers residing in rural areas. Community-based programs are important to increase the use of prenatal care.
Improvement of Photocatalytic Performance for the g-C3N4/MoS2 Composite Used for Hypophosphite Oxidation
Authors: Guan Wei , He Kuang , Du Jianwei , Wen Yong , Li Mingshan , Zhuo Li , Yang Rui , Li Kaiming
Published: September 2020

The synthesized g-C3N4/MoS2 composite was a high-efficiency photocatalytic for hypophosphite oxidation. In this work, a stable and cheap g-C3N4 worked as the chelating agent and combined with the MoS2 materials. The structures of the fabricated g-C3N4/MoS2 photocatalyst were characterized by some methods including X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS). Moreover, the photocatalytic performances of various photocatalysts were measured by analyzing the oxidation efficiency of hypophosphite under visible light irradiation and the oxidation efficiency of hypophosphite using the g-C3N4/MoS2 photocatalyst which was 93.45%. According to the results, the g-C3N4/MoS2 composite showed a promising photocatalytic performance for hypophosphite oxidation. The improved photocatalytic performance for hypophosphite oxidation was due to the effective charge separation analyzed by the photoluminescence (PL) emission spectra. The transient photocurrent response measurement indicated that the g-C3N4/MoS2 composites (2.5 μA cm–2) were 10 times improved photocurrent intensity and 2 times improved photocurrent intensity comparing with the pure g-C3N4 (0.25 μA cm–2) and MoS2 (1.25 μA cm–2), respectively. The photocatalytic mechanism of hypophosphite oxidation was analyzed by adding some scavengers, and the recycle experiments indicated that the g-C3N4/MoS2 composite had a good stability.
Morphometric Analysis of Furcation Areas of Multirooted Teeth in a Tunisian Population
Authors: Mabrouk Rym , Baccouche Chiraz , Frih Nadia
Published: September 2020

Aims. The aim of the study was to evaluate the morphological characteristics of furcation of permanent molars in Tunisian population. Materials and Methods. One hundred and four extracted maxillary and mandibular permanent molars were included in this study; comprising 34 maxillary first molars, 18 maxillary second molars, 33 mandibular first molars, and 19 mandibular second molars. For each tooth, the vertical dimension of the root trunk, root length, and interradicular space width were assessed with a micrometer caliber. Different types of root trunk in maxillary and mandibular molars were also analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using a t-test. Results. Root length decreased from the first to the second molars. This decrease seems to be pronounced at mandibular molars. The most observed root trunk type was type B, with a prevalence of 67.30% in maxillary molars and 51.92% in mandibular molars. The root trunk length increased from the first to the second molars in both maxillary and mandibular. The average width of the interradicular spaces varied on the same tooth and between the teeth. Conclusion. This study provides epidemiological data about molars root length, interradicular space, and root trunk vertical dimension in a Tunisian population that could help clinicians in periodontal and endodontic therapy.
Experimental Research on Mechanical Properties of High‐Temperature Sandstone with Different Cooling Methods
Authors: Zhang Minglei , Qiu Runde , Yang Lei , Su Yuting
Published: September 2020

Various tests including the longitudinal wave velocity tests and uniaxial compression tests have been conducted to evaluate the impact of cooling methods (including natural cooling, water cooling, and cooling by liquid carbon dioxide) on mechanical properties of sandstone under the natural status and high temperature. The acoustic emission signals were also monitored during the tests. According to the tests conducted, the sandstone sample density attenuation rate and the longitudinal wave velocity attenuation rate are higher than those of the specimen under natural status while the uniaxial compressive strength and Young’s modulus are lower. Comparing with the sandstone under the natural status, the compression sections of the stress‐strain curves of the high‐temperature sandstone samples treated by three cooling methods are longer with lower strain peak values. The order of the acoustic emission is revealed as follows: the sample cooled by liquid carbon dioxide < the sample cooled by water < sample cooled naturally < the sample under natural status, which suggests that the rapid cooling (cooled by liquid carbon dioxide) produces the severest damage on the sample, followed by the water cooling and natural cooling methods. In addition, the relationship between the sample strength weakening coefficient and the cooling rate is defined based on the statistical data of the cooling time of the high‐temperature specimen under the three cooling methods.
A Study of the Solid-Liquid-Gas Three-Phase Coupling Relationship of Coal, Water and Gas
Authors: Yuan Anying , Huang Chunhui , Hou Junling , Zhang Zhaomin , Pan Weihui , Duan Lei , Wu Quansen
Published: September 2020

At the present time, it is of major significance to study the solid-liquid-gas three-phase coupling relationship of coal, water, and gas in deep-mining stopes in order to prevent and control coal and gas outbursts in high-gas mines. In this study, the influence rules of water on the mechanical characteristics of coal, as well as gas diffusion and migration processes, was examined by combining theoretical analysis and laboratory testing procedures. The results showed that with increases in water content, the mechanical characteristics of coal bodies presented change trends of first increasing and then decreasing. In this study, it was found that the water content levels which corresponded to the maximum shear strength of the coal in the No. 8 coal seam in the study area had ranged between 6.77% and 11.9%, and the water content level corresponding to the extreme point was 8.66%. It was observed that under different water content conditions, the gas desorption speeds of the coal bodies gradually decreased over time. The gas desorption speeds rapidly decreased during the initial desorption stage and then gradually decreased over time. Furthermore, under the different water content conditions, the amount of gas desorption in the coal bodies was observed to gradually increase over time, with the initial desorption amounts displaying rapid increases. Then, with the passage of time, the increase speeds of the gas desorption amount gradually decreased and finally tended to remain at a stable value. It was found that with the increases in water content, the desorption speeds, initial desorption speeds, and desorption amount of gas in the coal bodies continuously decreased. In other words, the water content levels in the coal bodies were negatively correlated with the gas desorption speeds and desorption amounts of the coal bodies. In addition, the gas desorption speeds, initial desorption speeds, and desorption amounts were observed to change more sharply with the increases in water content. The results of this research hold important guiding significance for the improvement of the understanding of the mechanical properties of high-gas coal seams and the implementation of effective gas control measures.
Lower Bound Solution of Foundation Bearing Capacity beneath Strip Footing Based on Parabolic Mohr Failure Criterion
Authors: Wei Fang , Li-jun Shi
Published: September 2020

The static allowable stress field of foundation under strip foundation is constructed by means of stress columns, and the calculation method of the lower bound foundation bearing capacity based on the two‐parameter parabolic Mohr yield criterion is proposed. Moreover, the influence of the amount of stress columns and material mechanical parameters on the lower bound bearing capacity is analyzed. The results show that a better solution can be obtained by optimizing the static allowable stress field. However, the improvement of lower bound solution might be inefficient if the stress column amount is large enough. The stresses of the superimposition area show a reduction with the improvement of stress field; on the other hand, the superposed stresses are enhanced ever faster as the involved stress column increases. The tensile‐compressive strength ratio has a moderate effect on the lower bound solution. Finally, the reliability of the proposed method is verified by some rock foundation loading tests.
Doxycycline Sclerotherapy of a Cervical Cystic Hygroma: A Caribbean Institution Experience
Authors: Figaro Nicholas , Rampersad Robbie , Juman Solaiman
Published: September 2020

Cervical cystic lymphangiomas are rare benign tumors that pose a formidable challenge to surgeons confronted with managing this uncommon entity. Due to the intimacy with which these cystic lesions blend with critical cervical structures, a considerable number of patients who undergo surgical management are often plagued with recurrence and morbidity. As a result, doxycycline sclerotherapy has become an attractive, safe, and effective alternative as a primary treatment modality in a select group of pediatric patients. This case report presents an 18-month-old patient with a large cervical cystic hygroma that was effectively treated with exclusive doxycycline sclerotherapy.
Speed Kills: Advancement in Th17 Cell Adoptive Cell Therapy for Solid Tumors
Authors: Fiering Steven N. , Ho Gregory W.
Published: September 2020

IL6 is targeted as part of treatment in adoptive cell therapy (ACT) because of its protumor effects and its role in the cytokine release syndrome. However, another major role of IL6 is to polarize naïve CD4+ T cells from Tregs to Th17 cells. While Th17 T cells are associated with autoimmunity, they are present around many different solid tumor cancers and their role in tumor microenvironments is unclear. In this issue of Cancer Research, Knochelmann and colleagues show that Th17 cells with less in vitro expansion in IL6-driven Th17 ACT provide greater solid tumor control and robust immune memory, highlighting advancement in the field of ACT application to solid tumor immunotherapy.

See related article by Knochelmann et al., p. 3920
Catch and Release: Mutant YAP as a Molecular Driver of Tumor Cell Dissemination
Authors: Davidson Shawn M.
Published: September 2020

The study by Benjamin and colleagues demonstrates that mutant YAP expression is sufficient to enhance tumor cell dissemination in zebrafish and mice. Moreover, the integration of approaches in biology and engineering taken here provides an important framework to link physical, physiological, and molecular properties of disseminated tumor cells (DTC). Similar integrated approaches will pave the way for future studies to generate global cancer cell dissemination maps and provide further insight into the prognostic value of DTCs for metastatic organotropisms.

See related article by Benjamin et al., p. 3867
Radiotheranostic Agent 64Cu-cyclam-RAFT-c(-RGDfK-)4 for Management of Peritoneal Metastasis in Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Jin Zhao-Hui , Tsuji Atsushi B. , Degardin Mélissa , Sugyo Aya , Obara Satoshi , Wakizaka Hidekatsu , Nagatsu Kotaro , Hu Kuan , Zhang Ming-Rong , Dumy Pascal , Boturyn Didier , Higashi Tatsuya
Published: September 2020

Purpose:

Ovarian cancer peritoneal metastases (OCPMs) are a pathophysiologically heterogeneous group of tumors that are rarely curable. αVβ3 integrin (αVβ3) is overexpressed on tumoral neovessels and frequently on ovarian cancer cells. Here, using two clinically relevant αVβ3-positive OCPM mouse models, we studied the theranostic potential of an αVβ3-specific radiopeptide, 64Cu-cyclam-RAFT-c(-RGDfK-)4 (64Cu-RaftRGD), and its intra- and intertumoral distribution in relation to the tumor microenvironment.

Experimental Design:

αVβ3-expressing peritoneal and subcutaneous models of ovarian carcinoma (IGR-OV1 and NIH:OVCAR-3) were established in nude mice. 64Cu-RaftRGD was administered either intravenously or intraperitoneally. We performed intratumoral distribution (ITD) studies, PET/CT imaging and quantification, biodistribution assay and radiation dosimetry, and therapeutic efficacy and toxicity studies.

Results:

Intraperitoneal administration was an efficient route for targeting 64Cu-RaftRGD to OCPMs with excellent tumor penetration. Using the fluorescence surrogate, Cy5.5-RaftRGD, in our unique high-resolution multifluorescence analysis, we found that the ITD of 64Cu-RaftRGD was spatially distinct from, but complementary to, that of hypoxia. 64Cu-RaftRGD–based PET enabled clear visualization of multiple OCPM deposits and ascites and biodistribution analysis demonstrated an inverse correlation between tumor uptake and tumor size (1.2–17.2 mm). 64Cu-RaftRGD at a radiotherapeutic dose (148 MBq/0.357 nmol) showed antitumor activities by inhibiting tumor cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis, with negligible toxicity.

Conclusions:

Collectively, these results demonstrate the all-in-one potential of 64Cu-RaftRGD for imaging guided radiotherapy of OCPM by targeting both tumoral neovessels and cancerous cells. On the basis of the ITD finding, we propose that pairing αVβ3- and hypoxia-targeted radiotherapies could improve therapeutic efficacy by overcoming the heterogeneity of ITD encountered with single-agent treatments.
TSPO-targeted PET and Optical Probes for the Detection and Localization of Premalignant and Malignant Pancreatic Lesions
Authors: Cohen Allison S. , Li Jun , Hight Matthew R. , McKinley Eliot , Fu Allie , Payne Adria , Liu Yang , Zhang Dawei , Xie Qing , Bai Mingfeng , Ayers Gregory D. , Tantawy Mohammed Noor , Smith Jarrod A. , Revetta Frank , Washington M. Kay , Shi Chanjuan , Merchant Nipun , Manning H. Charles
Published: September 2020

Purpose:

Pancreatic cancer is among the most aggressive malignancies and is rarely discovered early. However, pancreatic “incidentalomas,” particularly cysts, are frequently identified in asymptomatic patients through anatomic imaging for unrelated causes. Accurate determination of the malignant potential of cystic lesions could lead to life-saving surgery or spare patients with indolent disease undue risk. Current risk assessment of pancreatic cysts requires invasive sampling, with attendant morbidity and sampling errors. Here, we sought to identify imaging biomarkers of high-risk pancreatic cancer precursor lesions.

Experimental Design:

Translocator protein (TSPO) expression, which is associated with cholesterol metabolism, was evaluated in premalignant and pancreatic cancer lesions from human and genetically engineered mouse (GEM) tissues. In vivo imaging was performed with [18F]V-1008, a TSPO-targeted PET agent, in two GEM models. For image-guided surgery (IGS), V-1520, a TSPO ligand for near-IR optical imaging based upon the V-1008 pharmacophore, was developed and evaluated.

Results:

TSPO was highly expressed in human and murine pancreatic cancer. Notably, TSPO expression was associated with high-grade, premalignant intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) and pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) lesions. In GEM models, [18F]V-1008 exhibited robust uptake in early pancreatic cancer, detectable by PET. Furthermore, V-1520 localized to premalignant pancreatic lesions and advanced tumors enabling real-time IGS.

Conclusions:

We anticipate that combined TSPO PET/IGS represents a translational approach for precision pancreatic cancer care through discrimination of high-risk indeterminate lesions and actionable surgery.