bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Porphyromonas gingivalis coinfects with KSHV in oral cavities of HIV+ patients and induces viral lytic reactivation
Authors: Dai Lu , Barrett Lindsey , Plaisance‐Bonstaff Karlie , Post Steven R. , Qin Zhiqiang
Published: May 2020

Kaposi's sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus (KSHV) infection causes several human cancers, including Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), one of the most common AIDS‐associated tumors. The involvement of the oral cavity represents one common clinical manifestation of AIDS‐KS individuals with periodontal diseases and an oral carriage of a variety of pathogenic bacteria, including Porphyromonas gingivalis. In the current study, we report the clinical relevance of P. gingivalis and KSHV coinfection in the oral cavity of a cohort of HIV+ patients. Furthermore, we found that P. gingivalis conditioned medium or derived lipopolysaccharide effectively induced KSHV lytic reactivation from infected oral cells. This reactivation requires TLR4 as well as the activities of p38 and Jun N‐terminal kinase‐ mitogen‐activated protein kinase signaling pathways. Our findings reveal the mechanisms through which coinfected periodontal pathogens potentially promote oncogenic virus pathogenesis in the unique niche of immunocompromised patients.
Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of discharged patients infected with SARS‐CoV‐2 on the Qinghai Plateau
Authors: Xi Aiqi , Zhuo Ma , Dai Jingtao , Ding Yuehe , Ma Xiuzhen , Ma Xiaoli , Wang Xiaoyi , Shi Lianmeng , Bai Huanying , Zheng Hongying , Nuermberger Eric , Xu Jian
Published: May 2020

Since the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) was first reported in Wuhan, a series of confirmed cases of COVID‐19 were found on the Qinghai‐Tibet plateau. We aimed to describe the epidemiological, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of all confirmed cases in Qinghai, a province at high altitude. The region had no sustained local transmission. Of all 18 patients with confirmed SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, 15 patients comprising four transmission clusters were identified. Three patients were infected by direct contact without travel history to Wuhan. Of 18 patients, 10 patients showed bilateral pneumonia and two patients showed no abnormalities. Three patients with comorbidities such as hypertension, liver diseases, or diabetes developed severe illness. High C‐reactive protein levels and elevations of both alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were observed in three severely ill patients on admission. All 18 patients were eventually discharged, including the three severe patients who recovered after treatment with noninvasive mechanical ventilation, convalescent plasma, and other therapies. Our findings confirmed human‐to‐human transmission of SARS‐CoV‐2 in clusters. Patients with comorbidities are more likely to develop severe illness.
New materials for hip and knee joint replacement: What's hip and what's in kneed?
Authors: Mihalko William M. , Haider Hani , Kurtz Steven , Marcolongo Michele , Urish Kenneth
Published: May 2020

Over the last three decades there have been significant advancements in the knee and hip replacement technology that has been driven by an issue in the past concerning adverse local tissue reactions, aseptic and septic loosening. The implants and the materials we utilize have improved over the last two decades and in knee and hip replacement there has been a decrease in the failures attributed to wear and osteolysis. Despite these advancements there are still issues with patient satisfaction and early revisions due to septic and aseptic loosening in knee replacement patients. This article reviews the state of current implant material technology in hip and knee replacement surgery, discusses some of the unmet needs we have in biomaterials, and reviews some of the current biomaterials and technology that may be able to solve the most common issues in the knee and hip replacement surgery.
Hypopharyngeal‐Esophageal Impedance‐pH Monitoring Profiles of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Patients
Authors: Lechien Jerome R. , Bobin Francois , Dapri Giovanni , Eisendrath Pierre , Salem Charelle , Mouawad Francois , Horoi Mihaela , Thill Marie‐Paule , Dequanter Didier , Rodriguez Alexandra , Muls Vinciane , Saussez Sven
Published: May 2020

Objectives/Hypothesis

To investigate the profile of patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) at hypopharyngeal–esophageal multichannel intraluminal impedance‐pH (HEMII‐pH) monitoring and the relationship between hypopharyngeal‐proximal reflux episodes (HREs) and saliva pepsin concentration.

Study Design

Prospective non‐controlled.

Methods

Patients were recruited from three European hospitals from January 2018 to October 2019. Patients benefited from HEMII‐pH monitoring and saliva collections to measure saliva pepsin concentration in the same time. Saliva pepsin concentration was measured in the morning (fasting), after lunch, and after dinner. The LPR profile of patients was studied through a breakdown of the HEMII‐pH findings over the 24 hours of testing. The relationship between the concentrations of saliva pepsin and 24‐hour HREs was studied through linear multiple regression.

Results

One hundred twenty‐six patients completed the study. The HEMII‐pH analyses revealed that 73.99% of HREs occurred outside 1‐hour postmeal times, whereas 20.49% and 5.52% of HREs occurred during the 1‐hour postmeal and nighttime, respectively. Seventy‐four patients (58.73%) did not have nighttime HREs. Patients with both daytime and nighttime HREs had more severe HEMII‐pH parameters and reflux symptom score compared with patients with only daytime HREs. There were no significant associations between HREs and saliva pepsin concentration.

Conclusions

Unlike gastroesophageal reflux disease, HREs occur less frequently after meals and nighttime. The analysis of the HEMII‐pH profile of the LPR patients has to be considered to develop future personalized therapeutic strategies.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 131:268–276, 2021
Update of the CLRP TG‐43 parameter database for low‐energy brachytherapy sources
Authors: Safigholi Habib , Chamberland Marc J. P. , Taylor Randle E. P. , Allen Christian H. , Martinov Martin P. , Rogers D. W. O. , Thomson Rowan M.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

To update the Carleton Laboratory for Radiotherapy Physics (CLRP) TG‐43 dosimetry database for low‐energy (≤50 keV) photon‐emitting low‐dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy sources utilizing the open‐source EGSnrc application egs_brachy rather than the BrachyDose application used previously for 27 LDR sources in the 2008 CLRP version (CLRPv1). CLRPv2 covers 40 sources (

Pd,

I, and

Cs). A comprehensive set of TG‐43 parameters is calculated, including dose‐rate constants, radial dose functions with functional fitting parameters, 1D and 2D anisotropy functions, along‐away dose‐rate tables, Primary‐Scatter separation dose tables (for some sources), and mean photon energies at the surface of the sources. The database also documents the source models which will become part of the egs_brachy distribution.

Acquisition and validation methods

Datasets are calculated after a systematic recoding of the source geometries using the egs++ geometry package and its egs_brachy extensions. Air‐kerma strength per history is calculated for models of NIST’s Wide‐Angle Free‐Air chamber (WAFAC) and for a point detector located at 10 cm on the source’s transverse axis. Full scatter water phantoms with varying voxel resolutions in cylindrical coordinates are used for dose calculations. New statistical uncertainties of source volume corrections for phantom voxels which overlap with brachytherapy sources are implemented in egs_brachy, and all CLRPv2 data include these uncertainties. For validation, data are compared to CLRPv1 and other data in the literature.

Data format and access

Data are available at https://physics.carleton.ca/clrp/egs_brachy/seed_database_v2, http://doi.org/10.22215/clrp/tg43v2. As well as being presented graphically in comparisons to previous calculations, data are available in Excel (.xlsx) spreadsheets for each source.

Potential applications

The database has applications in research, dosimetry, and brachytherapy treatment planning. This comprehensive update provides the medical physics community with more accurate TG‐43 dose evaluation parameters, as well as fully benchmarked and described source models which are distributed with egs_brachy.
Response surface method based on uniform design and weighted least squares for non‐probabilistic reliability analysis
Authors: Fang Pengya , Li Shuhao , Guo Xiao , Wen Zhenhua
Published: May 2020

The non‐probabilistic reliability theory is a promising methodology for implementing structural reliability analysis in case of scarce statistical data. One of the main obstacles to implement non‐probabilistic reliability analysis is the implication of the limit state function (LSF) for complex structures. This paper aims to establish a surrogate model of the LSF with higher simulation precision, and whereby proposes a response surface method based on the combination of uniform design (UD) and weighted least squares (WLS). At first, the UD method is selected as the sampling method of interval variables to realize the uniform space‐filling of the initial samples, and the sample set is updated by gradually adding the approximate optimal points to increase the sampling density of critical domain. Then, the WLS method is applied to improve the precision of the response surface by adjusting the importance of samples to the function fitting. Finally, a method of constructing sample weights is developed. Two examples are applied to validate the feasibility and efficiency of the proposed method. Results show that the proposed method is effective for non‐probabilistic reliability analysis of complex structures owning to high computational precision and low computational cost in both numerical and case study.
Will Delaying Breakfast Mitigate the Metabolic Health Benefits of Time‐Restricted Eating?
Authors: Heilbronn Leonie K. , Regmi Prashant
Published: May 2020

Eating out of phase with the biological clock induces circadian misalignment in peripheral organs and impairs glucose tolerance in preclinical models. Time‐restricted eating (TRE) is a dietary approach that consolidates energy intake to 6 to 10 hours during the biologically active phase of the day, without necessarily altering diet quality and quantity. TRE induces pleiotropic metabolic benefits in mice, flies, and humans. Most studies have initiated TRE early in the biological morning. This perspective discusses the potential challenges in translating early TRE to the community and considers the potential metabolic consequences of delaying TRE.
Whole‐exome sequencing in the evaluation of fetal congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract detected by ultrasonography
Authors: Lei Ting‐Ying , Fu Fang , Li Ru , Yu Qiu‐Xia , Du Kun , Zhang Wen‐Wen , Deng Qiong , Li Lu‐Shan , Wang Dan , Yang Xin , Zhen Li , Li Dong‐Zhi , Liao Can
Published: May 2020

Objective

We aimed to investigate the value of whole‐exome sequencing (WES) in fetuses with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) with or without other structural anomalies but with normal findings upon karyotyping and chromosome microarray analysis (CMA).

Methods

Cases with CAKUT with or without other structural anomalies were screened for eligibility. Fetuses with abnormal karyotyping or CMA results were excluded. We performed WES on DNA samples from eligible fetus‐parental trios and identified diagnostic genetic variants based on ultrasonographic features.

Results

A total of 163 eligible fetus‐parental trios were successfully analyzed by WES. We found 26 likely pathogenic or pathogenic variants in 18 genes from 20 fetuses, with a total proportion of diagnostic genetic variants of 12.3% (20/163). Genetic variants were significantly more frequently detected in fetuses with multisystem anomalies (27.0%, 10/37), enlarged kidney/echogenic kidney (20%, 4/20), and multicystic dysplastic kidney (11.1%, 4/36). Pregnancy outcome data showed that 88 (94.6%, 88/93) of the surviving cases with negative WES results had a good prognosis in early childhood.

Conclusions

Our study is the largest to use WES prenatally for CAKUT and shows that WES can be used diagnostically to define the molecular defects that underlie unexplained CAKUT.
Tracking Fluctuations in Psychological States using Social Media Language: A Case Study of Weekly Emotion
Authors: Eichstaedt Johannes C. , Weidman Aaron C.
Published: May 2020

Personality psychologists are increasingly documenting dynamic, within–person processes. Big data methodologies can augment this endeavour by allowing for the collection of naturalistic and personality–relevant digital traces from online environments. Whereas big data methods have primarily been used to catalogue static personality dimensions, here we present a case study in how they can be used to track dynamic fluctuations in psychological states. We apply a text–based, machine learning prediction model to Facebook status updates to compute weekly trajectories of emotional valence and arousal. We train this model on 2895 human–annotated Facebook statuses and apply the resulting model to 303 575 Facebook statuses posted by 640 US Facebook users who had previously self–reported their Big Five traits, yielding an average of 28 weekly estimates per user. We examine the correlations between model–predicted emotion and self–reported personality, providing a test of the robustness of these links when using weekly aggregated data, rather than momentary data as in prior work. We further present dynamic visualizations of weekly valence and arousal for every user, while making the final data set of 17 937 weeks openly available. We discuss the strengths and drawbacks of this method in the context of personality psychology's evolution into a dynamic science. © 2020 European Association of Personality Psychology
Synthesis of reactive polyureas bearing vinylcyclopropane moiety in main chain and their radical cross‐linking with multifunctional thiols
Authors: Okamoto Shusuke , Sudo Atsushi , Endo Takeshi
Published: May 2020

A series of polyureas 5a‐c bearing vinylcyclopropane (VCP) moiety in their main chains was synthesized by the polyaddition of diamine 2 bearing VCP moiety with diisocyanates. Upon treatment of polyurea 5b with thiols in the presence of azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN), the VCP moieties in the polymer main chain efficiently reacted with the thiols via a sequence of the radical addition of thiol to the vinyl group and the ring opening of the cyclopropane ring, yielding the corresponding networked polymers 9–11. The thermogravimetric analysis of the networked polymers 9–11 revealed that their residual weight at 350 °C was higher than that of the precursor polyurea 5b.
A systematic investigation of the ring size effects on the free radical ring‐opening polymerization (rROP) of cyclic ketene acetal (CKA) using both experimental and theoretical approach
Authors: Reddy Mothe Srinivasa , Tan Jacqueline S. J. , Chennamaneni Lohitha R. , Aidil Farhan , Su Yi , Kang Hway C. , Lim Freda C. H. , Thoniyot Praveen
Published: May 2020

Radical ring‐opening polymerization (rROP) reaction of cyclic ketene acetals (CKA) is an interesting route to biodegradable polymers. Contrary to their tremendous potential, fundamental understanding of their reaction kinetics and thermodynamics is still limited. We present experimental and theoretical investigations for rROP reactions of CKA to systematically elucidate the effects of monomer ring sizes on the homopolymerization. We aim to provide insights on the structural‐reactivity relationship of CKA by studying the thermodynamics and kinetics of the forward ring‐opening propagation reactions and key side reactions, namely ring‐retained propagation and radical back‐biting reaction leading to branching. Experimental results show that for the CKA with smaller ring sizes, significant amount of ring‐retained side products are formed when up to 90% of the monomers are converted. However, for the larger ring sizes (7 and 8 membered), almost complete ring‐opening polymerization with <1% of ring‐retained products are formed. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that kinetic effects from the collision frequency dominate in differentiating between ring‐opening propagation, ring‐retained propagation, and backbiting. The results corroborate well with experiments and reports in the literature. Our systematic study from the first principle and experimental validation provide insights into CKA rROP to apply radical polymerization to generate biodegradable polymers.
Linking quality of life questionnaires for asthma to the International Classification of Functioning
Authors: Gomes Danielle Cristina , Dantas Diego de Sousa , Rodrigues Regalado Isabelly Cristina , Longo Egmar , Galante Sousa Klayton , Alves Pereira Silvana
Published: May 2020

Objective

To link the content of the most common quality of life instruments for children with asthma to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).

Methods

The study was conducted in two stages. The first involved a review of the literature to select quality of life questionnaires and in the second, two independent reviewers identified questionnaire items, and categories corresponding to the ICF, according to approved methodology. The degree of agreement was calculated using the kappa coefficient.

Results

Two questionnaires were selected: the Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life (PAQLQ) and Pediatric Quality of Life Asthma Module (PedsQL‐Asthma), self and proxy versions. The degree of agreement was strong for all the instruments: PAQLQ (k = 0.624), PedsQL‐ Asthma self (k = 0.610), and PedsQL‐Asthma proxy (k = 0.673). A total of 114 concepts were identified in the 77 items. Thirty‐five different ICF categories were linked, 16 (45.7%) related “body function,” 13 (37.1%) “activity and participation,” and 6 (17.1%) “environmental factors.” Two items (1.7%) could not be linked because they represent personal factors or are not covered by the ICF.

Conclusion

The categories linked to the PAQLQ contained primarily “body function” and “activity and participation,” but not “environmental factors.” Those linked to the PedsQL‐Asthma versions encompass three of the four ICF components, where the highest content frequency was associated with “body function,” followed by “environmental factors” and “activities and participation.”
Children dependent on respiratory support: A 10‐year review from one pediatric postacute care hospital
Authors: Dumas Helene M. , Hughes Mary Laurette , O'Brien Jane E.
Published: May 2020

Objective

Pediatric postacute care hospitals (PACH) provide long‐term care for children with medical complexity including children dependent on respiratory support. Descriptions of PACH respiratory care populations and outcomes, however, remain under‐reported. Our aim was to describe demographics, respiratory outcome, and longitudinal trend of children with respiratory support admitted to a single PACH in the United States.

Methods

Using electronic records from 2009 to 2018, data were examined for all children dependent on respiratory support. Children were identified for inclusion using respiratory level of care classifications (type of support) as outlined in hospital policy. Outcome was defined as change in level from first admission to final discharge. Number of admissions by level and year during the study timeframe were analyzed.

Results

There were 1423 admissions for 767 children requiring respiratory support during the study timeframe. Children with higher respiratory classification level (eg, mechanical ventilation) at initial admission had more admissions to PACH (P < .001) and longer length of stays (P < .001). From first admission to final discharge, there was a significant change (reduction) in respiratory level (z = −4.588, P < .001). An increase in the overall number of admissions for children with respiratory support during the study timeframe was noted, with the largest increase for children requiring the highest level of support.

Conclusion

There has been a consistent increase in the number of children requiring respiratory support at admission to PACH. Reduction in respiratory support with postacute care occurs but children admitted with a higher level of support stay longer and experience multiple admissions.
Evaluation of a multiple breath nitrogen washout system in children
Authors: Isaac Sarah M. , Jensen Renee , Anagnostopoulou Pinelopi , Davies Jane C. , Gappa Monika , Latzin Philipp , Saunders Clare , Short Christopher , Singer Florian , Stanojevic Sanja , Zwitserloot Annelies , Ratjen Felix
Published: May 2020

Introduction

The multiple breath nitrogen washout (MBW) test offers a sensitive measure of airway function. In this study we aim to (a) assess the validity of the EasyOne Pro LAB (MBWndd) in an in vitro lung model, (b) assess the feasibility, repeatability, and reproducibility of MBWndd and (c) compare outcomes with the Exhalyzer D (MBWEM) and body plethysmography.

Methods

In vitro, functional residual capacity (FRC) measurements were assessed using a lung model under quasi‐physiological conditions and compared to measured FRC. In vivo plethysmography and MBW were performed in a prospective study of children at two visits (n = 45 healthy; n = 41 cystic fibrosis [CF]). Bland‐Altman plots were used to compare agreement between FRC and lung clearance index (LCI) measurements.

Results

In vitro FRCndd measurements were repeatable but lung volumes were underestimated (mean relative difference −5.4% (limits of agreement [LA] −9.6%; −1.1%), 95% confidence interval (CI) −6.27; −4.45). In vivo, compared to plethysmography, FRCndd was consistently lower (−19.3% [−40.5; 1.9], 95% CI [−23.9; −14.7]), and showed a volume dependency. LCIndd values were also higher in children with smaller lung volumes. The within‐test coefficient of variation of the FRCndd and LCIndd were 4.9% in health, and 5.6% and 6.9% in CF respectively. LCIndd was reproducible between‐visits (mean relative difference [LA] −3.7% [−14.8, −7.5; 95% CI −6.6; −0.73] in health [n = 17] and 0.34% [−13.2, 22.8; 95% CI −5.0; 5.69] in CF [n = 23]). When calculated using the same algorithm, LCIndd was similar to LCIEM in health.

Conclusions

MBWndd measurements are feasible, repeatable, and reproducible, however, MBW‐derived outcomes are not interchangeable with MBWEM.
Will Serious Shortage Protocols help ease drug shortages?
Authors: Dowden Angela
Published: May 2020

Historically, pharmacists have had very limited options when faced with drugs that are out of stock, but recently introduced Serious Shortage Protocols could theoretically help mitigate shortages by giving them the power to dispense something different. But what do pharmacists and prescribers make of these new protocols, and what are the implications for patients?
Synthesis and Structural Study of 4H‐Cyclopenta[c]thiophene‐5,5(6H)‐dicarbonitrile and 6,6‐Dimethyl‐1,4‐dihydro‐5H‐cyclopenta[d][1,2]dithiine‐5,7(6H)‐dione
Authors: Karmakar Himadri S. , Kadam Vinay S. , Patel Arun L. , Zade Sanjio S.
Published: May 2020

Two sulfur annulated fused heterocycles, 4H‐cyclopenta[c]thiophene‐5,5(6H)‐dicarbonitrile (1) and 6,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐dihydro‐5H‐cyclopenta[d][1,2]dithiine‐5,7(6H)‐dione (2) were synthesized and characterized using NMR, FT‐IR and SCXRD. Their synthetic approaches were different and opposite from each other. In 1 the fused bicyclic system obtained starting from the heterocycle and extend to the alicyclic unit, whereas synthesis of 2 was started from alicyclic unit to end up getting heterocyclic dithiine unit. Optical and electrochemical properties of 1 and 2 were explored. Both the molecules are highly crystalline due to the presence of strong intermolecular interaction including C‐H…N and C‐H…S for 1 or C‐H…O and C‐H…S for 2.
The Inter‐Relationship Between Employment Status and Interpersonal Violence in Malawi: A Trauma Center Experience
Authors: Purcell Laura N. , Kayange Linda , Gallaher Jared , Varela Carlos , Charles Anthony
Published: May 2020

Introduction

As a proportion of the overall population, sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) has the highest youth demographic, composing 60% of Africa's unemployed. With the worsening economic crisis in low‐ and middle‐income countries, unengaged youth are susceptible to gang violence and anti‐government demonstrations, resulting in political instability.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of the Kamuzu Central Hospital Trauma Registry from 2008–2018. All adult patients (>14 years) injured by interpersonal violence (IPV) were included. Age was categorized as 15–24 (youth), 25–45, and >45 years. A bivariate analysis (IPV versus unintentional injury), and Poisson multivariable analysis were performed to identify factors increasing the risk of IPV.

Results

During the study, 87,338 trauma patients presented; 30,532 (35.0%) were injured following IPV. Patients injured following IPV (28 years, IQR 23–34) were younger than those unintentionally injured (30 years, IQR 23–39, p < 0.001). More patients injured following IPV were unemployed (n = 7,178, 23.6% vs. n = 10,148, 17.9%, p < 0.001), injured at night (n = 19,346, 63.7% vs. n = 10,148, 17.9%, p < 0.001), and reported alcohol use (n = 4.973, 16.4% vs n = 2,461, 4.4%, p < 0.001). Being unemployed (RR 1.25, 95% CI 1.22–1.27), youth compared to age >45 years (RR 1.72, 1.66–1.79), and those injured at night (RR 2.18, 95% CI 2.14–2.23) had increased the risk of being victims of IPV.

Conclusion

In Malawi, there is an interrelationship between unemployment and IPV, particularly in the youth population. Given impending demographic realities, government and non‐government organizations should prioritize youth employment to help defer political instability in vulnerable nation‐states.
Clinical Assessment of Pediatric Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma: A 30‐Year Experience at a Single Institution
Authors: Kim Kwangsoon , Lee Cho Rok , Kang Sang‐Wook , Lee Jandee , Jeong Jong Ju , Nam Kee‐Hyun , Chung Woong Youn
Published: May 2020

Background

Thyroidectomy is the typical treatment for pediatric thyroid carcinoma; total thyroidectomy is commonly performed. We aimed to report our experience at a single tertiary institution and to evaluate the risk factors for recurrence, especially based on surgical extent, in pediatric patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC).

Methods

A data of 94 pediatric patients who underwent thyroid surgery for DTC from January 1982 to December 2012 at Yonsei University Hospital (Seoul, Korea) were reviewed. The clinicopathologic features and surgical outcomes were retrospectively analyzed through complete chart reviews.

Results

The mean age was 16.6 ± 3.0 (range, 5–19) years. Fourteen patients had recurrence. Tumor size >2 cm (hazard ratio [HR], 14.241; p = 0.011) and positive lymph nodes (HR, 1.056; p = 0.039) were significant risk factors for disease‐free survival (DFS) in multivariate analysis. In Kaplan–Meier analysis, a statistically significant difference was noted in the DFS according to tumor size 2 cm (p < 0.001). However, the DFS was not significantly different between the bilateral total thyroidectomy (BTT) and less than BTT groups (p = 0.215).

Conclusions

BTT remains the treatment of choice in pediatric patients with DTC. Lobectomy may be considered for patients with limited disease, including those with tumor size <2 cm, no suspicious lymph nodes, intrathyroidal lesion, and no multifocal disease.
Trapped fourth ventricle: a rare complication in children after supratentorial CSF shunting
Authors: El Damaty Ahmed , Eltanahy Ahmed , Unterberg Andreas , Baechli Heidi
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Trapped fourth ventricle (TFV) is a well-identified problem in hydrocephalic children. Patients with post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH) are mostly affected. We tried to find out predisposing factors and describe clinical findings to early diagnose TFV and manage it.

Methods

We reviewed our database from 1991 to 2018 and included all patients with TFV who required surgery. We analyzed prematurity, cause of hydrocephalus, type of valve implanted, revision surgeries, modality of treatment of TFV, and their clinical examination and MRI imaging.

Results

We found 21 patients. Most of patients suffered from PHH (16/21), tumor (2/21), post-meningitis hydrocephalus (2/21), and congenital hydrocephalus (1/21). Seventeen patients were preterm. Seven patients suffered from a chronic overdrainage with slit ventricles in MRI. Thirteen patients showed symptoms denoting brain stem dysfunction; in 3 patients, TFV was asymptomatic and in 5 patients, we did not have available information regarding presenting symptoms due to missing documentation. An extra fourth ventricular catheter was the treatment of choice in 18/21 patients. One patient was treated by cranio-cervical decompression. Endoscopic aqueductoplasty with stenting was done in last 2 cases.

Conclusion

Diagnosis of clinically symptomatic TFV and its treatment is a challenge in our practice of pediatric neurosurgery. PHH and prematurity are risk factors for the development of such complication. Both fourth ventricular shunting and endoscopic aqueductoplasty with stenting are effective in managing TFV. Microsurgical fourth ventriculostomy is not recommended due to its high failure rate. Early detection and intervention may help in avoiding fatal complication and improving the neurological function.
Prebiotic effect of inulin-type fructans on faecal microbiota and short-chain fatty acids in type 2 diabetes: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Birkeland Eline , Gharagozlian Sedegheh , Birkeland Kåre I. , Valeur Jørgen , Måge Ingrid , Rud Ida , Aas Anne-Marie
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Compared to a healthy population, the gut microbiota in type 2 diabetes presents with several unfavourable features that may impair glucose regulation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prebiotic effect of inulin-type fructans on the faecal microbiota and short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

The study was a placebo controlled crossover study, where 25 patients (15 men) aged 41–71 years consumed 16 g of inulin-type fructans (a mixture of oligofructose and inulin) and 16-g placebo (maltodextrin) for 6 weeks in randomised order. A 4-week washout separated the 6 weeks treatments. The faecal microbiota was analysed by high-throughput 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and SCFA in faeces were analysed using vacuum distillation followed by gas chromatography.

Results

Treatment with inulin-type fructans induced moderate changes in the faecal microbiota composition (1.5%, p = 0.045). A bifidogenic effect was most prominent, with highest positive effect on operational taxonomic units (OTUs) of Bifidobacterium adolescentis, followed by OTUs of Bacteroides. Significantly higher faecal concentrations of total SCFA, acetic acid and propionic acid were detected after prebiotic consumption compared to placebo. The prebiotic fibre had no effects on the concentration of butyric acid or on the overall microbial diversity.

Conclusion

Six weeks supplementation with inulin-type fructans had a significant bifidogenic effect and induced increased concentrations of faecal SCFA, without changing faecal microbial diversity. Our findings suggest a moderate potential of inulin-type fructans to improve gut microbiota composition and to increase microbial fermentation in type 2 diabetes.

Trial registration

The trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02569684).
Assessing the Efficiency of Seepage Control Measures in Earthfill Dams
Authors: Torabi Haghighi Ali , Tuomela Anne , Hekmatzadeh Ali Akbar
Published: May 2020

Seepage control in earthfill dams is a major concern during different phases of dam construction and operation. More than 30% of earthfill dam failures occur due to uncontrolled flow in the dam body and foundation. Seepage control measures, designed and installed at suspected sites of uncontrolled flow, thus play a vital role in stabilizing earthfill dams. However, the actual efficiency of seepage control measures often falls short of expected performance due to soil heterogeneity and changes over time. Assessing the performance of seepage control measures based on monitoring and modeling is necessary to avoid abrupt failures in earthfill dams. In this study, we developed a novel method for quantifying the efficiency of seepage control measures in earthfill dams based on combined seepage modeling and monitoring data. We tested the method by applying it to assess the efficiency of seepage control components at the Doroudzan dam, Iran. The results revealed that the overall efficiency of the dam’s seepage control measures (depending on water level in the reservoir) was 51–70%, based on the magnitude of discharged flow. The efficiency of three major seepage control devices, the chimney drain, cutoff wall, and grouting diaphragm in the left abutment, was 76–82%, 68–74%, and 16–19%, respectively.
Semi-empirical predictive equations for the initial amplitude of submarine landslide-generated waves: applications to 1994 Skagway and 1998 Papua New Guinea tsunamis
Authors: Sabeti Ramtin , Heidarzadeh Mohammad
Published: May 2020

Accurate predictions of maximum initial wave amplitude are essential for coastal impact assessment of tsunami waves generated by submarine landslides. Here, we analyse the existing predictive equations for the maximum initial amplitude ($$ \eta_{\text{max} } $$ηmax) of submarine landslide-generated waves and study their performance in reproducing real-world landslide incidents. Existing equations include various landslide parameters such as specific gravity (γs), initial submergence (d), slide length (B), width (w), thickness (T) and slope angle (θ). To determine how landslide parameters affect wave amplitude, we conduct a systematic sensitivity analysis. Results indicate that the slide volume (V = B × w × T) anddare among the most sensitive parameters. The data from the 1994 Skagway (observed$$ \eta_{\text{max} } $$ηmax: 1.0–2.0 m) and 1998 Papua New Guinea (PNG) (observed$$ \eta_{\text{max} } $$ηmax: 10–16 m) incidents provided valuable benchmarks for evaluating the performance of the existing equations. The predicted maximum initial amplitudes of 0.03–686.5 m and 3.7–6746.0 m were obtained for the 1994 and 1998 events, respectively, indicating a wide range for wave amplitudes. The predicted estimates for the smaller-sized event, i.e. the 1994 Skagway, appear to be more accurate than those made for the larger event, i.e. the 1998 PNG case. We develop a new predictive equation by fitting an equation to actual submarine landslide tsunamis:$$ \eta_{ \text{max} } = 50.67 \left( {\frac{V}{d}} \right)^{0.34} $$ηmax=50.67Vd0.34, whereVis the slide volume (km3),dis initial submergence depth (m), and$$ \eta_{\text{max} } $$ηmaxis in metres. Our new equation gives wave amplitudes of 1.6 m and 7.8 m for the 1994 and 1998 landslide tsunamis, respectively, which are fairly consistent with real observations.
Impact of vegetation succession on leaf-litter-soil C:N:P stoichiometry and their intrinsic relationship in the Ziwuling Area of China’s Loess Plateau
Authors: Wang Zongfei , Zheng Fenli
Published: May 2020

Long-term natural vegetation succession plays a substantial role in the accumulation and distribution of plant and soil C:N:P stoichiometry. However, how plant and soil C:N:P relationships or ratios change along with successional stages over a century in the severely eroded areas remain unclear. These were measured over a 100-year natural succession in five successional stages from annual grasses to climax forests. The results show that natural succession had significant effects on carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) concentrations in leaf-litter-soil and their ratios in severely eroded areas. Nitrogen concentrations and N:P ratios in leaf and litter increased from annual grasses to the shrub stage and then decreased in the late successional forest stages. Leaf P levels decreased from annual grasses to shrub stages and did not significantly change during late successional stages. Litter P concentration decreased in the early successional stages and increased during late successional stages, with no overall significant change. Soil C and N concentrations and C:N, C:P and N:P ratios increased with successional stages. Soil C and N concentrations decreased with the increasing soil depth. Both were significantly different between any successional stages and controls (cropland) in the upper 10 cm and 10–20 cm soil layers. Leaf N:P ratios may be used to indicate nutrient limitations and this study suggests that plant growth during the grass stages was limited by N, during the shrub stage, by P, and during the forest stages, by both of N and P. In addition, there were close correlations between litter and leaf C:N:P ratios, soil and litter C and N levels, and C:P and N:P ratios. These results show that long-term natural vegetation succession is effective in restoring degraded soil properties and improving soil fertility, and provide insights into C:N:P relationships of leaf, litter and soil influenced by vegetation succession stage.
Impact of rock type on the pore structures and physical properties within a tight sandstone reservoir in the Ordos Basin, NW China
Authors: Yin Xiang-Dong , Jiang Shu , Chen Shi-Jia , Wu Peng , Gao Wei , Gao Ji-Xian , Shi Xian
Published: May 2020

The pore–throat systems and physical properties of tight sandstone reservoirs are complex, and deposition is thought to be a fundamental control for them. In this study, the impacts of the full ranges of rock types (from pebbly coarse sandstone to fine sandstone) on the pore structures and physical properties of the Permian tight sandstone reservoir in the eastern Ordos Basin were investigated comprehensively through a series of experiments including conventional physical testing, thin-section analysis, scanning electron microscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance analysis and high-pressure mercury injection tests. The results showed that the coarser-grained sandstones tend to have higher feldspar content and lower percentage of cements, leading to strong dissolution, weak cementation and improved porosity and permeability. The medium sandstone has the highest level of quartz and the lowest average content of feldspar, resulting in strong heterogeneity of physical properties. Only those medium sandstone reservoirs with relatively high content of feldspars have better physical properties. Additionally, the coarser-grained sandstones contain relatively large dissolution pores (nearly 200 μm), whereas the finer-grained sandstones have more intercrystalline pores with a relatively more homogeneous pore structure. The pebbly coarse sandstone and coarse sandstone reservoirs are favorable targets with best physical properties.
The Role of Imaging for MINOCA (Myocardial Infarction with No Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease): a Review of Literature and Current Perspectives
Authors: Alasnag Mirvat , Jelani Qurat-ul-ain , Johnson Thomas W. , Parapid Biljana , Balghaith Mohammed , Al-Shaibi Khaled
Published: May 2020

Purpose of Review

The objective of this review is to summarize scientific statements on the diagnosis and management of myocardial infarction with no obstructive coronary artery disease (MINOCA); define the diagnostic role of optical coherence tomography (OCT), intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR); and provide representative case examples.

Recent Findings

The majority of patients with MINOCA are evaluated by conventional coronary angiography. However, intracoronary imaging using OCT or IVUS permits more accurate understanding of the underlying pathology. These and other imaging modalities provide significant diagnostic and prognostic value.

Although nonobstructive disease is the hallmark of the disease, MINOCA is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Every effort to define the underlying pathology is necessary and requires more standardized use of imaging in clinical practice.
Andean potato diversity conserved in the International Potato Center genebank helps develop agriculture in Uganda: the example of the variety ‘Victoria’
Authors: Bernal-Galeano Vivian , Norton George , Ellis David , Anglin Noelle L. , Hareau Guy , Smale Melinda , Jamora Nelissa , Alwang Jeffrey , Pradel Willy
Published: May 2020

The International Potato Center (CIP) genebank conserves and facilitates access to highly diverse germplasm of potato, sweetpotato, and Andean roots and tubers as a global public good for food security. While it is generally understood that material from the CIP genebank has played an important role in the release of many CIP-related varieties grown by smallholder farmers in lower-income countries, the contribution has not been evaluated in quantitative terms. By applying the relative contribution of provenance based on pedigree data, we apportion the CIP genebank contribution of two released potato varieties: Pallay Poncho and Victoria. The estimated contribution of the CIP genebank to Pallay Poncho and Victoria is 35% and 72%, respectively. We then used an economic surplus approach to measure Victoria’s benefits in Uganda by attributing and valuing productivity gains. The gross benefit of Victoria in Uganda is estimated at USD $1.04 billion (2016 value), which exceeds the annual operating cost of the entire genebank over its lifetime. Seventy-two percent of the economic benefits corresponding to germplasm of Victoria are due to the CIP genebank contribution. Our findings demonstrate the magnitude of economic benefits generated by the use of conserved germplasm provided by the CIP genebank in crop improvement, which is only one of the several components of its total economic value. These results show that the availability of diverse germplasm is perhaps one of the most important elements in varietal development.
The Högdalen urban farm: a real case assessment of sustainability attributes
Authors: Milestad Rebecka , Carlsson-Kanyama Annika , Schaffer Christina
Published: May 2020

While urban indoor farming is a fairly new phenomenon, there is a growing interest from producers, authorities and consumers alike. However, many assumptions are made, and expectations held, about urban indoor farming from a sustainability, food production and food provisioning point of view. These assumptions and expectations need to be tested and assessed. This study assessed greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and a number of social aspects of a newly established indoor urban farm in Stockholm. The farm was the result of a project created by commercial, civil society and municipal actors with the aim to make use of unused urban space, create jobs and produce food. While lettuce grown on the indoor farm emitted more GHG than lettuce cultivated outdoors in Sweden, it was more climate friendly than imported lettuce in our comparison. Furthermore, the indoor farm created value for the actors involved and for the city district, albeit on a small scale. Many of the positive environmental and social features owed to the small scale of the indoor farm and the context in which it developed. Thus, when evaluating production systems like this one, we need to be cautious and refrain from extrapolating the results.
Agency theory meets matching theory
Authors: Macho-Stadler Inés , Pérez-Castrillo David
Published: May 2020

The theory of incentives and matching theory can complement each other. In particular, matching theory can be a tool for analyzing optimal incentive contracts within a general equilibrium framework. We propose several models that study the endogenous payoffs of principals and agents as a function of the characteristics of all the market participants, as well as the joint attributes of the principal–agent pairs that partner in equilibrium. Moreover, considering each principal–agent relationship as part of a market may strongly influence our assessment of how the characteristics of the principal and the agent affect the optimal incentive contract. Finally, we discuss the effect of the existence of moral hazard on the nature of the matching between principals and agents that we may observe at equilibrium, compared to the matching that would happen if incentive concerns were absent.
New avenues for systematically inferring cell-cell communication: through single-cell transcriptomics data
Authors: Shao Xin , Lu Xiaoyan , Liao Jie , Chen Huajun , Fan Xiaohui
Published: May 2020

For multicellular organisms, cell-cell communication is essential to numerous biological processes. Drawing upon the latest development of single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq), high-resolution transcriptomic data have deepened our understanding of cellular phenotype heterogeneity and composition of complex tissues, which enables systematic cell-cell communication studies at a single-cell level. We first summarize a common workflow of cell-cell communication study using scRNA-seq data, which often includes data preparation, construction of communication networks, and result validation. Two common strategies taken to uncover cell-cell communications are reviewed, e.g., physically vicinal structure-based and ligand-receptor interaction-based one. To conclude, challenges and current applications of cell-cell communication studies at a single-cell resolution are discussed in details and future perspectives are proposed.
Expansive mappings on bounded sets and their application to rational integral equations
Authors: Secelean Nicolae-Adrian , Wardowski Dariusz
Published: May 2020

The aim of this paper is to introduce a new condition of expansiveness which extends the class of the known expansive-type mappings in the domain of closed and bounded subsets of a metric space. For the sum of an expansive mapping in a proposed sense defined on a closed convex and bounded subset of a Banach space and a continuous and compact operator, there are proved some fixed point theorems. There are also provided some examples which motivate our research. Moreover, an application to the existence problem of periodic solutions of nonlinear integral equations with a rational part is provided.
Tribological behavior of layered double hydroxides with various chemical compositions and morphologies as grease additives
Authors: Wang Hongdong , Wang Yue , Liu Yuhong , Zhao Jun , Li Jinjin , Wang Qiang , Luo Jianbin
Published: May 2020

The layered double hydroxide (LDH) is a kind of natural mineral, which can also be manually prepared. It has been practically applied in various fields due to its unique crystal structure and diversity of composition, size, and morphology. In this work, LDHs with different chemical compositions (Co2+, Mg2+, Zn2+, and Ni2+) and topographical features (flower-like, spherical, and plate-like) were successfully prepared by controlling the reaction conditions. Then, they were mechanically dispersed into base grease and their tribological properties were evaluated by a ball-on-disk tester under a contact pressure of 2.47 GPa. It was found that the variation of morphology, instead of chemical composition, had great influence on the tribological performance. The “flower-like” LDH sample with high specific surface area (139 m2/g) was demonstrated to show the best performance. With 1 wt% additive, the wear volume was only about 0.2% of that lubricated by base grease. The tribofilm with unique microscopic structure and uniform composition was derived from tribochemical reaction between LDH additives and sliding solid surfaces, effectively improving tribological properties of the lubrication system. This work provided the guidance for optimizing lubricant additives and held great potential in future applications.
Bayesian adaptive testing with polytomous items
Authors: Ren Hao , Choi Seung W. , van der Linden Wim J.
Published: May 2020

An extremely efficient MCMC method for Bayesian adaptive testing with polytomous items is explained both conceptually and in mathematical detail. Results from extensive simulation studies with different item pools, polytomous response models, calibration sample sizes, and test lengths are presented. In addition, the case of adaptive testing from pools with a mixture of dichotomous and polytomous items is addressed.