bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Yeast Infections after Esophagectomy: A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Heuker Marjolein , Koser Usma , Ott Alewijn , Karrenbeld Arend , van Dijl Jan Maarten , van Dam Gooitzen M. , de Smet Anne Marie G. A. , van Oosten Marleen
Published: March 2020

Esophageal malignancy is a disease with poor prognosis. Curative therapy incorporates surgery and is burdensome with high rates of infection morbidity and mortality. The role of yeast as causative organisms of post-esophagectomy infections is poorly defined. Consequently, the benefits of specific antifungal prophylactic therapy in improving patient outcome are unclear. Therefore, this study aimed at investigating the incidence of yeast infections at the University Medical Center Groningen among 565 post-esophagectomy patients between 1991 and 2017. The results show that 7.3% of the patients developed a yeast infection after esophageal resection with significantly increased incidence among patients suffering from diabetes mellitus. For patients with yeast infections, higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores, more frequent intensive care unit readmissions, prolonged hospital stays and higher mortality rates were observed. One-year survival was significantly lower for patients with a yeast infection, as well as diabetes mellitus and yeast-positive pleural effusion. We conclude that the incidence of yeast infections following esophagectomy is considerable, and that patients with diabetes mellitus are at increased risk. Furthermore, yeast infections are associated with higher complication rates and mortality. These observations encourage further prospective investigations on the possible benefits of antifungal prophylactic therapy for esophagectomy patients.
More than half of hypoxemia cases occurred during the recovery period after completion of esophagogastroduodenoscopy with planned moderate sedation
Authors: Shirota Yukihiro , Hirase Yoshimi , Suda Tsuyoshi , Miyazawa Masaki , Hodo Yuji , Wakabayashi Tokio
Published: March 2020

Guidelines advise precautionary measures for possible adverse events that may occur due to sedation during endoscopic procedures. To avoid complications, intraprocedural and postprocedural monitoring during recovery is considered important. However, since not many studies have reported on hypoxemia during the recovery period, findings for specific monitoring methods are insufficient. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the incidence of hypoxemia during the recovery period using continuous central-monitoring by pulse oximetry and to characterize the hypoxemia cases. Among the 4065 consecutive esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) procedures under planned moderate sedation, 84 (2.1%) procedures developed unexpected hypoxemia (SpO2 ≤ 90%). Hypoxemia was observed during the procedure, at the end of the procedure, and during the recovery period in 21, 17, and 46 (1.1%) procedures, respectively. More than half of the hypoxemia cases occurred during the recovery period. Many hypoxemia cases were characterized by neither serious co-morbid illness nor low body mass index which have been reported as risk factors of hypoxemia. The lack of risk factors is no guarantee that hypoxemia will not occur. Therefore, continuous monitoring by pulse oximetry is more important during the recovery period and is recommended in all EGD procedures under planned moderate sedation.
Automated prediction of mastitis infection patterns in dairy herds using machine learning
Authors: Hyde Robert M. , Down Peter M. , Bradley Andrew J. , Breen James E. , Hudson Chris , Leach Katharine A. , Green Martin J.
Published: March 2020

Mastitis in dairy cattle is extremely costly both in economic and welfare terms and is one of the most significant drivers of antimicrobial usage in dairy cattle. A critical step in the prevention of mastitis is the diagnosis of the predominant route of transmission of pathogens into either contagious (CONT) or environmental (ENV), with environmental being further subdivided as transmission during either the nonlactating “dry” period (EDP) or lactating period (EL). Using data from 1000 farms, random forest algorithms were able to replicate the complex herd level diagnoses made by specialist veterinary clinicians with a high degree of accuracy. An accuracy of 98%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 86% and negative predictive value (NPV) of 99% was achieved for the diagnosis of CONT vs ENV (with CONT as a “positive” diagnosis), and an accuracy of 78%, PPV of 76% and NPV of 81% for the diagnosis of EDP vs EL (with EDP as a “positive” diagnosis). An accurate, automated mastitis diagnosis tool has great potential to aid non-specialist veterinary clinicians to make a rapid herd level diagnosis and promptly implement appropriate control measures for an extremely damaging disease in terms of animal health, productivity, welfare and antimicrobial use.
Phosphorus (P) use efficiency in rice is linked to tissue-specific biomass and P allocation patterns
Authors: Irfan Muhammad , Aziz Tariq , Maqsood Muhammad Aamer , Bilal Hafiz Muhammad , Siddique Kadambot H. M. , Xu Minggang
Published: March 2020

Phosphorus (P) is a non-renewable resource which may be depleted within next few decades; hence high P use efficiency is need of time. Plants have evolved an array of adaptive mechanisms to enhance external P acquisition and reprioritize internal utilization under P deficiency. Tissue specific biomass and P allocation patterns may affect the P use efficiency in plants. six rice cultivars were grown in solution culture for 20 days and then were divided into two groups to receive either adequate P or no P that were harvested at 30, 40 and 50 days. Plants were dissected into various tissues/organs. Two rice cultivars viz Super Basmati (P-inefficient) and PS-2 (P-efficient) were grown in soil with no or 50 mg P kg−1 soil till maturity. Rice cultivars PS-2 and Basmati-2000 had higher P uptake, utilization efficiency and internal remobilization than other tested cultivars after P omission. Young leaves and roots were the major sinks while stems and mature leaves were the sources of P during P omission. In conclusion, biomass allocation and P accumulation among various tissues and P remobilization were major factors responsible for P efficiency.
A Comparative Analysis of Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cells derived from Different Sources, with a Focus on Neuroregenerative Potential
Authors: Petrenko Yuriy , Vackova Irena , Kekulova Kristyna , Chudickova Milada , Koci Zuzana , Turnovcova Karolina , Kupcova Skalnikova Helena , Vodicka Petr , Kubinova Sarka
Published: March 2020

Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) can be considered an accessible therapeutic tool for regenerative medicine. Here, we compared the growth kinetics, immunophenotypic and immunomodulatory properties, gene expression and secretome profile of MSCs derived from human adult bone marrow (BM-MSCs), adipose tissue (AT-MSCs) and Wharton’s jelly (WJ-MSCs) cultured in clinically-relevant conditions, with the focus on the neuroregenerative potential. All the cell types were positive for CD10/CD29/CD44/CD73/CD90/CD105/HLA-ABC and negative for CD14/CD45/CD235a/CD271/HLA-DR/VEGFR2 markers, but they differed in the expression of CD34/CD133/CD146/SSEA-4/MSCA-1/CD271/HLA-DR markers. BM-MSCs displayed the highest immunomodulatory activity compared to AT- and WJ-MSCs. On the other hand, BM-MSCs secreted the lower content and had the lower gene expression of neurotrophic growth factors compared to other cell lines, which may be caused by the higher sensitivity of BM-MSCs to nutrient limitations. Despite the differences in growth factor secretion, the MSC secretome derived from all cell sources had a pronounced neurotrophic potential to stimulate the neurite outgrowth of DRG-neurons and reduce the cell death of neural stem/progenitor cells after H2O2 treatment. Overall, our study provides important information for the transfer of basic MSC research towards clinical-grade manufacturing and therapeutic applications.
Resilience of Octocoral Forests to Catastrophic Storms
Authors: Lasker H. R. , Martínez-Quintana Á. , Bramanti L. , Edmunds P. J.
Published: March 2020

After centuries of human-mediated disturbances, Caribbean reef communities are vastly different from those described in the 1950s. Many are functionally dominated by macroalgae, but this community state represents only one of several possibilities into which present-day coral reefs can transition. Octocorals have always been abundant on Caribbean reefs, but increases in their abundance over the last few decades suggest that arborescent octocorals have the potential to expand their populations on reefs that hitherto had been dominated by scleractinians. Here we show that octocoral-dominated communities at three sites on the fringing reefs of St. John, US Virgin Islands, were resilient to the effects of two Category 5 hurricanes in 2017. We describe the dynamics of octocoral communities over five years at three sites on shallow reefs (~9-m depth), and test for the effects of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The hurricanes depressed the densities of juvenile and adult octocoral colonies as much as 47%. However, there were only weak effects on species richness and the relative abundances of the octocoral species. The hurricanes did not alter patterns of spatial variability in octocoral community structure that existed among sites prior to the storms. The density of octocoral recruits (individuals ≤ 5 cm high) was reduced in the year following the hurricanes, mainly due to a decline in abundance of recruits <0.5 cm, but returned to pre-storm densities in 2019. Persistently high octocoral recruitment provides a mechanism supporting ecological resilience of these communities. Continuing environmental degradation is a threat to all tropical marine communities, but the reefs of St. John illustrate how “octocoral forests” can persist as the structurally dominant community on Caribbean reefs.
Human HMGN1 and HMGN2 are not required for transcription-coupled DNA repair
Authors: Apelt Katja , Zoutendijk Iris , Gout Dennis Y. , Wondergem Annelotte P. , van den Heuvel Diana , Luijsterburg Martijn S.
Published: March 2020

Transcription-coupled repair (TCR) removes DNA lesions from the transcribed strand of active genes. Stalling of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) at DNA lesions initiates TCR through the recruitment of the CSB and CSA proteins. The full repertoire of proteins required for human TCR – particularly in a chromatin context - remains to be determined. Studies in mice have revealed that the nucleosome-binding protein HMGN1 is required to enhance the repair of UV-induced lesions in transcribed genes. However, whether HMGN1 is required for human TCR remains unaddressed. Here, we show that knockout or knockdown of HMGN1, either alone or in combination with HMGN2, does not render human cells sensitive to UV light or Illudin S-induced transcription-blocking DNA lesions. Moreover, transcription restart after UV irradiation was not impaired in HMGN-deficient cells. In contrast, TCR-deficient cells were highly sensitive to DNA damage and failed to restart transcription. Furthermore, GFP-tagged HMGN1 was not recruited to sites of UV-induced DNA damage under conditions where GFP-CSB readily accumulated. In line with this, HMGN1 did not associate with the TCR complex, nor did TCR proteins require HMGN1 to associate with DNA damage-stalled RNAPII. Together, our findings suggest that HMGN1 and HMGN2 are not required for human TCR.
Downregulation of miR-335-5P in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Can Contribute to Neuronal Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Apoptosis
Authors: De Luna Noemi , Turon-Sans Joana , Cortes-Vicente Elena , Carrasco-Rozas Ana , Illán-Gala Ignacio , Dols-Icardo Oriol , Clarimón Jordi , Lleó Alberto , Gallardo Eduard , Illa Isabel , Rojas-García Ricardo
Published: March 2020

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease for which the pathophysiological mechanisms of motor neuron loss are not precisely clarified. Environmental and epigenetic mechanisms such as microRNAs (miRNAs) could have a role in disease progression. We studied the expression pattern of miRNAs in ALS serum from 60 patients and 29 healthy controls. We also analyzed how deregulated miRNAs found in serum affected cellular pathways such as apoptosis, autophagy and mitochondrial physiology in SH-SY5Y cells. We found that miR-335-5p was downregulated in ALS serum. SH-SY5Y cells were transfected with a specific inhibitor of miR-335-5p and showed abnormal mitochondrial morphology, with an increment of reactive species of oxygen and superoxide dismutase activity. Pro-apoptotic caspases-3 and 7 also showed an increased activity in transfected cells. The downregulation of miR-335-5p, which has an effect on mitophagy, autophagy and apoptosis in SH-SY5Y neuronal cells could have a role in the motor neuron loss observed in ALS.
Plasma neutrophil extracellular trap level is modified by disease severity and inhaled corticosteroids in chronic inflammatory lung diseases
Authors: Gál Zsófia , Gézsi András , Pállinger Éva , Visnovitz Tamás , Nagy Adrienne , Kiss András , Sultész Monika , Csoma Zsuzsanna , Tamási Lilla , Gálffy Gabriella , Szalai Csaba
Published: March 2020

A flow cytometry-based method was developed to quantify in vivo circulating neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) levels in plasma and compare them in patients with different chronic inflammatory lung diseases. Seventeen asthmatic and 11 control children, 12 adult controls, 46 asthmatic, 6 COPD and 6 adult patients with asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS) were recruited in the study. The presence of NETs in unstimulated cell-free plasma was confirmed and visualized by confocal laser-scanning microscopy. No significant differences were found in plasma NET levels between children and adults, children with or without asthma and adults with or without asthma, COPD or ACOS. When asthmatic patients were stratified according to their disease severity the average plasma NET level was significantly higher in asthmatic patients with more serious symptoms (adjusted p = 0.027). Patients with poorer pulmonary functions had higher plasma NET levels which negatively correlated with the FEV1 values (r = −0.39, p = 0.002). Patients who were medicated daily with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) had significantly lower average plasma NET level than patients who did not or just occasionally used ICS (p = 0.027). If further studies confirm the NET-lowering effect of ICS in the circulation, it can be utilized in diseases where NETosis contributes to the pathogenesis.
Association of 3p27.1 Variants with Whole Body Lean Mass Identified by a Genome-wide Association Study
Authors: Ran Shu , Zhang Yu-Xue , Liu Lu , Jiang Zi-Xuan , He Xiao , Liu Yu , Shen Hui , Tian Qing , Pei Yu-Fang , Deng Hong-Wen , Zhang Lei
Published: March 2020

Whole body lean mass (WBLM) is a heritable trait predicting sarcopenia. To identify genomic locus underlying WBLM, we performed a genome-wide association study of fat-adjusted WBLM in the Framingham Heart Study (FHS, N = 6,004), and replicated in the Kansas City Osteoporosis Study (KCOS, N = 2,207). We identified a novel locus 3p27.1 that was associated with WBLM (lead SNP rs3732593 P = 7.19 × 10−8) in the discovery FHS sample, and the lead SNP was successfully replicated in the KCOS sample (one-sided P = 0.04). Bioinformatics analysis found that this SNP and its adjacent SNPs had the function of regulating enhancer activity in skeletal muscle myoblasts cells, further confirming the regulation of WBLM by this locus. Our finding provides new insight into the genetics of WBLM and enhance our understanding of sarcopenia.
Epidemiological and geospatial profile of the prescription opioid crisis in Ohio, United States
Authors: Hernandez Andres , Branscum Adam J. , Li Jingjing , MacKinnon Neil J. , Hincapie Ana L. , Cuadros Diego F.
Published: March 2020

The underlying reasons behind the unprecedented increase of the mortality rates due to the opioid epidemics in the United States are still not fully uncovered. Most efforts have been focused on targeting opioids, but there is little information about vulnerable populations at high risk of opioid abuse and death. In this study, we used data from the Ohio Department of Health for deaths caused by prescription opioids from 2010–2017 to analyze the spatiotemporal dynamics of the opioid overdose epidemic. Our results showed a rapid increase in prescription opioid death rates among the white male population aged 30–39 but also a considerable increase among the black male population with an exponential growth trend. Our geospatial analysis suggests that the increasing rates of the opioid overdose epidemic in Ohio were driven by the epidemic hotspot areas. Our findings highlight the relevance of prioritizing public health measures targeting specific locations and vulnerable populations to mitigate the current opioids crisis.
Self-reported Health is Related to Body Height and Waist Circumference in Rural Indigenous and Urbanised Latin-American Populations
Authors: Leongómez Juan David , Sánchez Oscar R. , Vásquez-Amézquita Milena , Valderrama Eugenio , Castellanos-Chacón Andrés , Morales-Sánchez Lina , Nieto Javier , González-Santoyo Isaac
Published: March 2020

Body height is a life-history component. It involves important costs for its expression and maintenance, which may originate trade-offs on other costly components such as reproduction or immunity. Although previous evidence has supported the idea that human height could be a sexually selected trait, the explanatory mechanisms that underlie this selection are poorly understood. Despite extensive studies on the association between height and attractiveness, the role of immunity in linking this relation is scarcely studied, particularly in non-Western populations. Here, we tested whether human height is related to health measured by self-perception, and relevant nutritional and health anthropometric indicators in three Latin-American populations that widely differ in socioeconomic and ecological conditions: two urbanised populations from Bogota (Colombia) and Mexico City (Mexico), and one isolated indigenous population (Me’Phaa, Mexico). Results showed that self-reported health is best predicted by an interaction between height and waist circumference: the presumed benefits of being taller are waist-dependent, and affect taller people more than shorter individuals. If health and genetic quality cues play an important role in human mate-choice, and height and waist interact to signal health, its evolutionary consequences, including cognitive and behavioural effects, should be addressed in future research.
Estimation of leaf nutrition status in degraded vegetation based on field survey and hyperspectral data
Authors: Peng Yu , Zhang Mei , Xu Ziyan , Yang Tingting , Su Yali , Zhou Tao , Wang Huiting , Wang Yue , Lin Yongyi
Published: March 2020

Timely monitoring of global plant biogeochemical processes demands fast and highly accurate estimation of plant nutrition status, which is often estimated based on hyperspectral data. However, few such studies have been conducted on degraded vegetation. In this study, complete combinations of either original reflectance or first-order derivative spectra have been developed to quantify leaf nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) contents of tree, shrub, and grass species using hyperspectral datasets from light, moderate, and severely degraded vegetation sites in Helin County, China. Leaf N, P, and K contents were correlated to identify suitable combinations. The most effective combinations were those of reflectance difference (Dij), normalized differences (ND), first-order derivative (FD), and first-order derivative difference (FD(D)). Linear regression analysis was used to further optimize sensitive band-based combinations, which were compared with 43 frequently used empirical spectral indices. The proposed hyperspectral indices were shown to effectively quantify leaf N, P, and K content (R2 > 0.5, p < 0.05), confirming that hyperspectral data can be potentially used for fine scale monitoring of degraded vegetation.
Implications of early diagnosis of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease: A post hoc analysis of the TEMPO 3:4 trial
Authors: Janssens Peter , Jouret François , Bammens Bert , Liebau Max C. , Schaefer Franz , Dandurand Ann , Perrone Ronald D. , Müller Roman-Ulrich , Pao Christina S. , Mekahli Djalila
Published: March 2020

It is unknown whether early diagnosis of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) can enable earlier management and improve outcomes. We conducted a post hoc analysis of data from the TEMPO 3:4 trial. Subjects were stratified by ADPKD diagnosis at age ≤18 (childhood diagnosis [CD]) or>18 (adulthood diagnosis [AD]). Groups were compared for baseline characteristics and total kidney volume (TKV) growth and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline over 3 years. 294 CD and 1148 AD subjects were analyzed. At inclusion, CD subjects were younger (mean age 34.2 versus 39.8 years; p < 0.0001) and had better eGFR (mean ± SD 87.4 ± 23.9 versus 80.1 ± 20.7 mL/min/1.73 m2; p < 0.0001), while CD had more severe Mayo risk classification (p < 0.0001) and more PKD1 mutations (p = 0.003). No statistical differences were found in TKV or eGFR change. At study end, placebo-treated CD subjects had better eGFR than projected by a prediction equation (mean difference ±SD for observed versus predicted eGFR: 2.18 ± 10.7 mL/min/1.73 m2; p = 0.0475). However, these results are not confirmed when excluding stage 1 CKD. Whether CD subjects, despite their risk profile, have a slower disease course than predicted remains inconclusive. Future studies are needed to confirm that early diagnosis and management can alter the disease course of ADPKD.
Bacillus spp. characterization and his intervention as a possible non-traditional etiology of chronic renal insufficiency in Tierra Blanca, Veracruz, Mexico
Authors: Quiñones-Muñoz T. A. , Villares-Bueno A. M. , Hernández-Ramírez G. , Hernández-Martínez R. , Lizardi-Jiménez M. A. , Bocanegra-García V.
Published: March 2020

Environmental, socioeconomic, educational, custom, occupation, and native pathogen microbiota factors have been identified as unique etiological factors by region for chronic renal insufficiency (CRI). In the region of Tierra Blanca, Veracruz, there is a significant incidence of CRI. The objective of this research was to identify the presence of the genus Bacillus spp. and its kinetic characterization for recognition as a possible non-traditional etiology of CRI in the region. The methodology included the isolation and morphological, biochemical, molecular and kinetic characterization of strains of the genus Bacillus spp. and an analysis of factors that indicate that their presence could affect the occupational health of the population, prompting cases of CRI. The presence of Bacillus cereus (pathogenic strain for humans) was established (biochemical identification, similarity 99%, by 16S rRNA gene) in sugarcane crops, mainly in the MEX-69-290 variety, with the higher growth rate and lower lag phase, compared to the other isolates. The strains are reported as a potential danger of direct infection and a risk factor for the indirect development of CRI, in the non-traditional cause modality, in the sugarcane fields. It is recommended that committed actions be undertaken to protect and promote the health of the population.
Prognostic factors for survival in colorectal cancer patients with brain metastases undergoing whole brain radiotherapy: multicenter retrospective study
Authors: Koo Taeryool , Kim Kyubo , Park Hae Jin , Han Sae-Won , Kim Tae-You , Jeong Seung-Yong , Park Kyu Joo , Chie Eui Kyu
Published: March 2020

Whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) is a mainstay of the treatment for brain metastases (BM). We evaluated prognostic factors in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients undergoing WBRT for BM. The medical records of 106 CRC patients undergoing WBRT for BM between 2000 and 2014 at three institutions were reviewed. Patient and tumor factors were analyzed to identify the prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) calculated from the date of BM diagnosis to the date of death or last follow-up. Surgical resection of BM was performed in six patients. The dose of WBRT was 30 Gy, and boost radiotherapy or stereotactic radiosurgery (8–23 Gy) was given to 15 patients. Systemic therapy for BM was administered in one patient before WBRT and 26 patients after WBRT. The median follow-up time was 3.9 months (range, 0.4–114.1 months). The median OS time was 3.9 months, and the 1-year OS rate was 18.2%. Older age (>65 years), multiple BM (≥3), elevated level of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA, >5 ng/ml) at BM diagnosis, and extracranial metastases were adverse prognostic factors for OS. Patient with 0–1 factor showed better OS (at 1 year, 76.9%) than patients with 2 factors (16.7%) or 3–4 factors (4.2%; p < 0.001). In conclusion, we evaluated age, the number of BM, CEA level, and extracranial metastases as the prognostic factors for OS in CRC patients undergoing WBRT. Our result might be useful to develop prognostic models predicting survival for patients whom WBRT is intended for.
Functional switching of NPR1 between chloroplast and nucleus for adaptive response to salt stress
Authors: Seo So Yeon , Wi Soo Jin , Park Ky Young
Published: March 2020

Salt stress causes rapid accumulation of nonexpressor of pathogenesis-related genes 1 (NPR1) protein, known as the redox-sensitive transcription coactivator, which in turn elicits many adaptive responses. The NPR1 protein transiently accumulates in chloroplast stroma under salt stress, which attenuates stress-triggered down-regulation of photosynthetic capability. We observed that oligomeric NPR1 in chloroplasts and cytoplasm had chaperone activity, whereas monomeric NPR1 in the nucleus did not. Additionally, NPR1 overexpression resulted in reinforcement of morning-phased and evening-phased circadian clock. NPR1 overexpression also enhanced antioxidant activity and reduced stress-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation at early stage, followed with transcription levels for ROS detoxification. These results suggest a functional switch from a molecular chaperone to a transcriptional coactivator, which is dependent on subcellular localization. Our findings imply that dual localization of NPR1 is related to proteostasis and redox homeostasis in chloroplasts for emergency restoration as well as transcriptional coactivator in the nucleus for adaptation to stress.
Five-year survival outcomes of intensity-modulated radiotherapy with simultaneous integrated boost (IMRT-SIB) using forward IMRT or Tomotherapy for breast cancer
Authors: Lee Hsin-Hua , Chen Chien-Hung , Luo Kuei-Hau , Chuang Hung-Yi , Huang Chih-Jen , Cheng Yuan-Kai , Chen Frank , Kuo Shih-Hsun , Huang Ming-Yii
Published: March 2020

Intensity-modulated radiotherapy with simultaneous integrated boost (IMRT-SIB) reduces overall treatment duration and results in less radiotherapy (RT)-induced dermatitis. However, the use of traditional sequential approach or IMRT-SIB is still under debate since there is not enough evidence of long-term clinical outcomes. The present study investigated 216 patients who underwent breast conserving surgery (BCS) between 2010 and 2013. The median age was 51 years (range, 21–81 years). All patients received IMRT-SIB, 50.4 Gy at 1.8 Gy per fraction to the whole breast and 60.2 Gy at 2.15 Gy per fraction to the tumor bed by integral boost. Among 216 patients, 175 patients received post-operative RT with forward IMRT and 41 patients had Tomotherapy. The median follow-up was 6.4 years. Forty patients (97.6%) in the Tomotherapy arm and 147 patients (84%) in the IMRT arm developed grade 0–1 skin toxicity (P = 0.021). For the entire cohort, the 5-year and 7-year overall survival (OS) rates were 94.4% and 93.1% respectively. The 7-year distant metastasis-free survival rates were 100% vs 89.1% in the Tomotherapy and IMRT arm respectively (P = 0.028). In conclusion, Tomotherapy improved acute skin toxicity compared with forward IMRT-SIB. Chronic skin complication was 1.9%. IMRT-SIB resulted in good long-term survival.
Magnetic response of Arsenic pollution in a slag covered soil profile close to an abandoned tungsten mine, southern China
Authors: Ouyang Tingping , Li Mingkun , Appel Erwin , Tang Zhihua , Peng Shasha , Li Sang , Zhu Zhaoyu
Published: March 2020

Previous studies indicated serious soil arsenic (As) pollution of large spatial extent related to tungsten mining. We performed systematic analyses of magnetic parameters and As contents of a slag covered soil profile close to the abandoned tungsten mine in southern China, in order to discuss the feasibility of using sensitive, non-destructive, and cost-effective magnetic methods for monitoring the soil arsenic content in such arsenic pollution areas. The results indicate that arsenic sulfide entered from slags into the underlying soil and changed to iron arsenate and moveable arsenic ion. The arsenic ions were transported from the upper to the lower part of the soil profile, leading to more serious arsenic pollution at lower levels of the section. Pedogenesis and oxidation of the entered iron and arsenic sulfide resulted in coexistence of magnetite/maghemite and hematite, with different contributions at depths of 125–195 cm, 60–125 cm, and 0–60 cm. The arsenic content is significant positively correlated with the hematite concentration given by the magnetic parameter HIRM and negatively correlated with the S−300 ratio that measures the relative contributions of magnetite(+maghemite) and hematite. The S−300 ratio is effective for semi-quantification of soil arsenic content, and may be also used for soil arsenic pollution assessment and monitoring in similar settings of tungsten mining.
Hypertonic saline enhances the efficacy of aerosolized gentamicin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Lin Hui-Ling , Chiu Li-Chung , Wan Gwo-Hwa , Huang Chung-Chi , Lee Zong-Tian , Lin Yun-Tzu , Wu Shan-Rong , Chen Chi-Shuo
Published: March 2020

Aerosol inhalation is a promising strategy for the delivery of antibiotic agents. The efficacy of antibiotic treatment by aerosol inhalation is reduced by the formation of microbial biofilms in the respiratory system and excessive airway mucus build-up. Various approaches have been taken in order to overcome this barrier. In this in vitro study, we used hypertonic saline (7%, by weight), a low cost Food and Drug Administration-approved reagent, as an aerosol carrier to study its effects with the antibiotic, gentamicin, on the most common respiratory opportunistic pathogen, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, present in the mucus. The results indicated that the hypertonic saline aerosol containing gentamicin, a low cost antibiotic, significantly eliminated biofilm growth by ~3-fold, compared to the regular saline aerosol containing gentamicin. In addition to enhancing the penetration efficiency of drug molecules by 70%, bacterial motility also decreased (~50%) after treatment with aerosolised hypertonic saline. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that hypertonic saline can significantly enhance the efficacy of antibiotic aerosols, which may contribute to the current use of inhaled therapeutic compounds.
Influence of the application of Fe–Mn–La ternary oxide-biochar composites on the properties of arsenic-polluted paddy soil
Authors: Lin Lina , Gao Minling , Liu Xuewei , Song Zhengguo
Published: March 2020

The effects of Fe–Mn–La ternary oxide-biochar composites on arsenic fractionation, soil enzyme activities, and microbial communities in arsenic-polluted soils were determined.
Suspended anode-type microbial fuel cells for enhanced electricity generation
Authors: Liu Yiyang , Sun Xiaoyan , Yin Di , Cai Lankun , Zhang Lehua
Published: March 2020

Suspended anode (carbon-based granules) with intermittent contact by stirring it in an anodic chamber of an MFC to enhance the performance.
Synthesis of a fine LiNi0.88Co0.09Al0.03O2 cathode material for lithium-ion batteries via a solvothermal route and its improved high-temperature cyclic performance
Authors: Cao Guolin , Zhu Jie , Li Yunjiao , Zhou Yuan , Jin Zhuomin , Xu Bin , Hai Chunxi , Zeng Jinbo
Published: March 2020

Nickel–Cobalt–Aluminum (NCA) cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are conventionally synthesized by chemical co-precipitation.
Blow-spun N-doped carbon fiber based high performance flexible lithium ion capacitors
Authors: Zhan Changzhen , Song Jianan , Ren Xiaolong , Shen Yang , Wu Hui , Kang Feiyu , Huang Zheng-Hong
Published: March 2020

Constructing flexible hybrid supercapacitors is a feasible way to achieve devices with high energy density, high power density and flexibility at the same time.
A novel hafnium–graphite oxide catalyst for the Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley reaction and the activation effect of the solvent
Authors: Li Xiaomin , Du Zhengjiang , Wu Yi , Zhen Yadong , Shao Rixin , Li Bingqi , Chen Chengmeng , Liu Quansheng , Zhou Huacong
Published: March 2020

Novel Hf–GO hybrid is efficient for MPV reactions of biomass-derived carboxyl compounds, and isopropanol can activate Hf–GO by first removing residual DMF in micro- and mesopores and then interacting with Hf–O sites.
Vacancy-induced interfacial ferromagnetic features in SmFeO3-filled graphitic carbon foam
Authors: Fayazi Mahsa , Shuai Gao , Liu Bingyan , Lei Li , Sameera Ivaturi , Odunmbaku Omololu , Wang Shanling , Wen Jiqiu , Boi Filippo S.
Published: March 2020

We report a novel structural and magnetic investigation of carbon foam (CFM) filled with SmFeO3 crystals produced by (1) high temperature fusion between Sm2O3 and Fe3C-filled carbon onions, and (2) annealing of iron filled CFM with nanosized Sm2O3.
Self-assembled hydrophobic Ala-Aib peptide encapsulating curcumin: a convenient system for water insoluble drugs
Authors: Locarno Silvia , Argentiere Simona , Ruffoni Alessandro , Maggioni Daniela , Soave Raffaella , Bucci Raffaella , Erba Emanuela , Lenardi Cristina , Gelmi Maria Luisa , Clerici Francesca
Published: March 2020

Short peptides containing non-coded amino acid encapsulate insoluble drug molecules.
A novel environmentally friendly boron nitride/lignosulfonate/natural rubber composite with improved thermal conductivity
Authors: An Dong , Cheng Shuaishuai , Jiang Can , Duan Xiaoyuan , Yang Bo , Zhang Zhiyi , Li Jiaxiong , Liu Yaqing , Wong Ching-Ping
Published: March 2020

Polymer-based thermal management materials have drawn much attention in the last few years because of the increasing heat dissipation challenges of advanced modern electronics.
Multi-emitting fluorescence sensor of MnO2–OPD–QD for the multiplex and visual detection of ascorbic acid and alkaline phosphatase
Authors: Yang Qian , Li Chuyao , Li Jinhua , Arabi Maryam , Wang Xiaoyan , Peng Hailong , Xiong Hua , Choo Jaebum , Chen Lingxin
Published: March 2020

A blue-, yellow-, and red-emitting fluorescence sensor of MnO2–OPD–QD for the multiplex and visual detection of ascorbic acid and alkaline phosphatase.
Sensitive distance-based paper-based quantification of mercury ions using carbon nanodots and heating-based preconcentration
Authors: Ninwong Benjawan , Sangkaew Prapaporn , Hapa Photcharapan , Ratnarathorn Nalin , Menger Ruth F. , Henry Charles S. , Dungchai Wijitar
Published: March 2020

This article reports the first fluorescent distance-based paper device coupled with an evaporating preconcentration system for determining trace mercury ions (Hg2+) in water.
Reducing interfacial resistance of a Li1.5Al0.5Ge1.5(PO4)3 solid electrolyte/electrode interface by polymer interlayer protection
Authors: Wang Leidanyang , Liu Da , Huang Tao , Geng Zhen , Yu Aishui
Published: March 2020

Using PPC interlayers to protect the LAGP electrolyte and reduce the interfacial impedance between electrode and electrolyte.
Wavelength selective photoactivated autocatalytic oxidation of 5,12-dihydrobenzo[b]phenazine and its application in metal-free synthesis
Authors: Bian Lei , Ma Jie , Feng Xiaotong , Wang Yuanhang , Zhao Lizhi , Zhao Lei , Wang Xiayan , Guo Guangsheng , Pu Qiaosheng
Published: March 2020

We describe the photoactivated autocatalytic oxidation of 5,12-dihydrobenzo[b]phenazine to benzo[b]phenazine with oxygen from the air as the oxidant and develop a green synthesis way of metal impurity-free BP or other similar products.
Materials and technical innovations in 3D printing in biomedical applications
Authors: Tetsuka Hiroyuki , Shin Su Ryon
Published: March 2020

This review highlights the recent advancements of new materials and 3D printing techniques developed to address the unfulfilled needs of the conventional 3D printing methodologies in biomedical applications.
What is the role of planarity and torsional freedom for aggregation in a π-conjugated donor–acceptor model oligomer?
Authors: Wedler Stefan , Bourdick Axel , Athanasopoulos Stavros , Gekle Stephan , Panzer Fabian , McDowell Caitlin , Nguyen Thuc-Quyen , Bazan Guillermo C. , Köhler Anna
Published: March 2020

We compare the aggregation properties of two model compounds, differing in their stiffness, in solution by a combined spectroscopic and computational approach.
All-organic flexible fabric antenna for wearable electronics
Authors: Li Zongze , Sinha Sneh K. , Treich Gregory M. , Wang Yifei , Yang Qiuwei , Deshmukh Ajinkya A. , Sotzing Gregory A. , Cao Yang
Published: March 2020

An all-organic fabric patch antenna is realized with the help of nanotemplates-assisted PEDOT:PSS conductive phase segregation, paving a new way for clothing integrated wearable electronic networks.
Quantitative assessment of the impact of ecological energy sources on atmospheric pollution
Authors: Stefaniuk Michał , Libirt Patrycja , Migas Beata
Published: March 2020

Environmental pollution, in particular atmospheric pollution, is largely associated with the production of thermal energy. Suspended dusts and chemically aggressive gases generate a significant danger for as well human health as biosphere. In recent years there has been a growing conviction about decisive impact of greenhouse gasses emission generated by the economic and civilizational activity of humanity on global climate changes. Hopes of breaking these adverse trends is connected with the mass use of renewable energy sources or rather so called ecological energy sources, that are relatively less environmentally aggressive. The quantitative comparative assessment of their negative impact on the environment is important in the proper classification of energy sources. Comparing of quantities of emitted suspended dusts and aggressive gases including greenhouse gases is good parameter for evaluation of air pollution. In Polish conditions, atmospheric pollutions are predominated by products of coal combustion. A good indicator of the ecological quality of energy sources is therefore the reduction of emitted harmful substances as a result of coal substitution. In this work examples of ecological effects of geothermal installations have been presented. Geothermal energy is generally considered to be renewable and ecological, while the substitution of coal fuels by hydrocarbons, including natural gas, is more problematic. The comparative analysis performed for a single-family house shows a radical reduction in the emission of suspended dust and chemically aggressive gases associated with replacing the coal furnace by natural gas-fired boiler and reducing the emission of carbon dioxide by half.
Assessment of effectiveness of workstations in the selected production line
Authors: Malaga-Toboła Urszula , Kuboń Maciej , Kwaśniewski Dariusz , Kocira Sławomir
Published: March 2020

Workstations are organizational units defined in a system, which deter-mine where and when production operations must be performed. Thus, they have de-fined loads, and operations performed thereon are evaluated based on the information to which places, where costs are formed, and to which types of activities they are ascribed. Workstations may include machines, people, production lines etc. The aim of the paper was to define effectiveness of operation of particular working stations which constitute a line for production of bread. The scope of the research covered the production line in a production establishment, namely a bakery. Based on the work schedule developed for particular workstations and documentation provided by the production site, a production capacity of the said line and its use and loading of particular workstations was defined. Analysis showed that the load of workstations was from 80 to 88%. A low level of variability of the load proves high mutual relations between particular workstations which are characteristic for continuous lines.
Electrophysiological Biomarkers for Age-Related Changes in Human Atrial Cardiomyocytes: In Silico Study
Authors: Nesterova Tatyana , Ushenin Konstantin , Shmarko Dmitry , Solovyova Olga
Published: March 2020

Age-related changes in human cardiomyocytes are closely related to cardiac diseases, especially atrial fibrillation. Restricted availability of biological preparations from the human atrial myocardium complicates experimental studies on the aging processes in cardiomyocytes. In this preliminary study, we used available experimental data on the age-related changes in ionic conductances in canine atrial cardiomyocytes to predict possible consequences of similar remodeling in humans using two mathematical models (Courtemanche98 and Maleckar09) of human atrial cardiomyocytes. The study was performed using the model population approach, allowing one to assess variability in the cellular response to different interventions affecting model parameters. Here, this approach was used to evaluate the effects of age-related parameter modulation on action potential biomarkers in the two models. Simulation results show a significant decrease in the action potential duration and membrane potential at 20% of the action potential duration in aging. These model predictions are consistent with experimental data from mammalians. The action potential characteristics are shown to serve as notable biomarkers of age-related electrophysiological remodeling in human atrial cardiomyocytes. A comparison of the two models shows different behavior in the prediction of repolarization abnormalities.
Analyzing the spatial distribution of individuals predisposed to arterial hypertension in Saint Petersburg using synthetic populations
Authors: Leonenko Vasiliy N. , Kovalchuk Sergey V.
Published: March 2020

Arterial hypertension (AH) is one of the most common cardiovascular diseases, and it can lead to serious complications. To optimize the delivery of patients exposed to AH to medical institutions and thus to curtail mortality in Russian cities caused by the consequences of hypertension, it is necessary to estimate the number of potential patients, along with their spatial distribution. This paper presents a method which uses synthetic population data to assess the spatial distribution of individuals potentially prone to arterial hypertension. The risk of arterial hypertension of an individual is calculated based on its demographic characteristics (age and gender). Using Saint Petersburg as a case study, we demonstrate that the mentioned approach makes it possible to perform predictions of AH cases distribution in absence of real data on hypertension status of the individuals. The results of the study will be used to assess the input flows of patients to healthcare facilities and optimize their workflow.
Fracture de l’angle mandibulaire déplacé chez l’enfant : ou réduire ? Quand retirer le matériel ?
Authors: Landric C.
Published: March 2020

Chez l’enfant, les fractures alvéolo-dentaire sont plus fréquentes que les fractures basales car l’os est plus élastique que chez l’adulte. Cependant la présence de germes fragilise la mandibule (Cole 2009). Concernant les fractures squelettiques maxillo-faciales, 55% concernent les condyles mais seulement 8% concernent l’angle. La prise en charge entre l’adulte et l’enfant diffère du fait du risque d’accident d’évolution des germes et des troubles de croissance secondaires. Le cas présenté à été pris en charge au Centre Hospitalier de Pau. Il concerne un enfant de 8 ans ayant présenté une fracture comminutive de l’angle mandibulaire gauche avec plaie submandibulaire et sublinguale suite à un accident domestique. L’examen clinique dans ce contexte fut difficile. L’examen tomodensitométrique avait mis en évidence une fracture déplacée de l’angle mandibulaire gauche passant par le germe de 37. Il a bénéficié d’une exploration cervicale ( vasculaire, nerveuse et glandulaire) et d’une ostéosynthèse basilaire et sur la ligne oblique externe par voie d’abord mixte selon les plaies. Une plaque de 1,5mm sur la ligne oblique et sur le rebord basilaire ont été posées avec des vis mono corticale de 5 mm. Un contrôle clinique et radiologique a été réalisé a 15 jours et 2 mois sans complications post opératoire. L’ablation du matériel à été réalisé à 3 mois en reprenant les mêmes voie d’abord. Le contrôle a 1 mois et 6 mois après dépose du matériel n’a pas mis en évidence d’accident dévolution sur le germe de 37. La réduction de la fracture de l’angle déplacé chez l’adulte se fait par une plaque rigide sur la ligne oblique externe associée ou non à une ostéosynthèse basilaire. Chez l’enfant les auteurs recommandent une réduction basilaire pour ne pas atteindre les germes des dents définitives avec abord cervical, endobuccal ou mixte (Zimmermann 2006). Consolidation osseuse chez l’adulte 6 semaines, 3 semaines chez l’enfant car le potentiel ostéogénique est supérieur à celui de l’adulte. Si le condyle est reconnu comme centre du potentiel de croissance, la mandibule répond à une croissance adaptative et maintenir une ostéosynthèse rigide après le délai de consolidation pourrait entraîner des troubles de la croissance (Wheeler 2011). Chez l’adulte l’ablation du matériel d’ostéosynthèse n’est pas systématique, et est réalisé en moyenne à 6 mois a 1 an post opératoire. Chez l’enfant la moyenne est a 3 mois post opératoire (Bakathir 200). Pour l’instant les plaques résorbables ne montrent pas entière satisfaction, du fait de la réaction inflammatoire importante qu’elles induisent.