bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical features, complications, and outcomes of exogenous and endogenous catecholamine‐triggered Takotsubo syndrome: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of 156 published cases
Authors: Y‐Hassan Shams , Falhammar Henrik
Published: March 2020

Innumerable physical stress factors including externally administered catecholamines, and pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) have been reported to trigger Takotsubo syndrome (TS). A systematic search of PubMed/MEDLINE identified 156 patients with catecholamine‐induced TS up to December 2017. Data were compared within the catecholamine‐induced TS cohort, but some comparisons were also done to a previously published large all‐TS cohort (n = 1750). The mean age was 46.4 ± 16.4 years (72.3% women). The clinical presentation was dramatic with high complication rates in (68.2%, n = 103; multiple complications 34.6%, n = 54). The most common TS ballooning pattern was apical or mid‐apical (45.2%, n = 69), followed by basal pattern (28.8%, n = 45), global pattern (16.0%, n = 25), mid‐ventricular (8.3%, n = 13), focal (0.6%, n = 1), and unidentified pattern (1.9%, n = 3). There was an increase in the prevalence of apical sparing ballooning pattern compared to all‐TS population (37.7% vs 18.3%, P < .00001). Higher complication rates were observed in TS with global ballooning pattern compared to apical ballooning pattern (23/25, 92% vs 38/65, 58.5%; P = .0022). Higher complication rates were observed in patients with age < 50 years than patients >50 years (73/92, 79.3% vs 29/56, 51.8%, P = 0.0009). Recurrence occurred exclusively in patients with PPGL‐induced TS (18/107 patients, 16.8%). PPGL‐induced TS was characterized by more global ballooning's pattern (22/104, 21.2% vs 3/49, 6.1%, P = 0.02), and lower left ventricular ejection fraction (25.54 ± 11.3 vs 31.82 ± 9.93, P = 0.0072) compared to exogenous catecholamine‐induced TS. In conclusion, catecholamine‐induced TS was characterized by a dramatic clinical presentation with extensive left ventricular dysfunction, and high complication rate.
Conventionally fractionated radiation therapy versus stereotactic body radiation therapy for locally advanced pancreatic cancer (CRiSP): An international systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Tchelebi Leila T. , Lehrer Eric J. , Trifiletti Daniel M. , Sharma Navesh K. , Gusani Niraj J. , Crane Christopher H. , Zaorsky Nicholas G.
Published: March 2020

Background

The goal of this study was to characterize the efficacy and safety of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) versus conventionally fractionated radiation therapy with concurrent chemotherapy (CFRT) for the definitive treatment of locally advanced pancreatic cancer. The primary outcome measure was efficacy, defined by 2‐year overall survival (OS). Secondary outcomes were incidence of any grade 3/4 toxicity and 1‐year OS.

Methods

A PICOS/PRISMA/MOOSE selection protocol was used to identify eligible studies. Inclusion criteria were: 1) patients diagnosed with locally advanced N0‐1 M0 pancreatic cancer; 2) CFRT 1.8 to 2.0 Gy/fraction with chemotherapy per protocol or SBRT ≥5 Gy/fraction in ≤5 fractions; 3) either no control group or another definitive chemotherapy or radiation therapy arm; 4) at least 1 of the outcome measures reported; and 5) single or multi‐arm phase 2/3 prospective study for CFRT and/or phase 1/2 or retrospective study for SBRT. Neoadjuvant and/or adjuvant chemotherapy was prescribed per protocol specifications. Weighted random effects meta‐analyses were conducted using the DerSimonian and Laird method to characterize summary effect sizes for each outcome.

Results

A total of 470 studies were initially screened; of these, 9 studies assessed SBRT and 11 studies assessed CFRT. For SBRT, the median dose was 30 Gy, and the most common regimen was 30 Gy/5 fractions. For CFRT, doses ranged from 45 to 54 Gy in 1.8‐ to 2.0‐Gy fractions, with the majority of studies delivering 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions with concurrent gemcitabine. The random effects estimate for 2‐year OS was 26.9% (95% CI, 20.6%‐33.6%) for SBRT versus 13.7% (95% CI, 8.9%‐19.3%) for CFRT and was statistically significant in favor of SBRT. The random effects estimate for 1‐year OS was 53.7% (95% CI, 39.3%‐67.9%) for SBRT versus 49.3% (95% CI, 39.3%‐59.4%) for CFRT, and was not statistically significant. The random effects estimate for acute grade 3/4 toxicity was 5.6% (95% CI, 0.0%‐20.0%) for SBRT versus 37.7% (95% CI, 24.0%‐52.5%) for CFRT and was statistically significant in favor of SBRT. The random effects estimate for late grade 3/4 toxicity was 9.0% for SBRT (95% CI, 3.3%‐17.1%) versus 10.1% (95% CI, 1.8%‐23.8%) for CFRT, which was not statistically significant.

Conclusion

These results suggest that SBRT for LAPC may result in a modest improvement in 2‐year OS with decreased rates of acute grade 3/4 toxicity and no change in 1‐year‐OS or late toxicity. Further study into the use of stereotactic body radiation therapy for these patients is needed.
Prognostic potential of liquid biopsy tracking in the posttreatment surveillance of patients with nonmetastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Chen Fo‐Ping , Huang Xiao‐Dan , Lv Jia‐Wei , Wen Dan‐Wan , Zhou Guan‐Qun , Lin Li , Kou Jia , Wu Chen‐Fei , Chen Yue , Zheng Zi‐Qi , Li Zhi‐Xuan , He Xiao‐Jun , Sun Ying
Published: March 2020

Background

The current study was performed to investigate whether circulating cell‐free Epstein‐Barr virus DNA (cfEBV DNA) would be useful for posttreatment surveillance in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods

The authors identified a total of 1984 nondisseminated NPC patients from an institutional big‐data research platform. Blood samples were collected within 3 months of the completion of radiotherapy and every 3 to 12 months thereafter for cfEBV DNA analysis. Patients were followed until disease recurrence was detected or for a median of 60 months. Diagnostic performance was assessed by calculating the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy based on the clinical detection of disease recurrence by conventional surveillance modalities (imaging scans and pathological examination).

Results

During follow‐up, a total of 767 patients (38.7%) had detectable cfEBV DNA. The recurrence rate among these patients was 63.8% (489 of 767 patients), which was significantly higher than that in patients with undetectable cfEBV DNA (8.6%; 105 of 1217 patients). cfEBV DNA sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 68.8%, 80.0%, and 78.2%, respectively, for local recurrence; 80.2%, 80.0%, and 85.9%, respectively, for regional recurrence; and 91.1%, 80.0%, and 92.8%, respectively, for distant metastasis. cfEBV DNA was found to have higher sensitivity for the detection of extrapulmonary metastases (94.9%‐96.5%) compared with pulmonary metastases (78.4%). It is interesting to note that among the patients with disease recurrence with detectable cfEBV DNA, positive cfEBV DNA results preceded radiological and/or clinical evidence of disease recurrence by a median of 2.3 months (interquartile range, 0.1‐9.5 months). In addition, of the 278 cfEBV DNA‐positive patients who did not develop disease recurrence, 227 (81.7%) had transiently positive cfEBV DNA that fell to undetectable levels during long‐term monitoring.

Conclusions

Plasma cfEBV DNA in patients with NPC appears to be an early sign of tumor recurrence, especially extrapulmonary metastases.
Posttransplantation cyclophosphamide improves transplantation outcomes in patients with AML/MDS who are treated with checkpoint inhibitors
Authors: Oran Betül , Garcia‐Manero Guillermo , Saliba Rima M. , Alfayez Mansour , Al‐Atrash Gheath , Ciurea Stefan O. , Jabbour Elias J. , Mehta Rohtesh S. , Popat Uday R. , Ravandi Farhad , Alousi Amin M. , Kadia Tapan M. , Konopleva Marina , DiNardo Courtney D. , Rezvani Katy , Shpall Elizabeth J. , Sharma Padmanee , Kantarjian Hagop M. , Champlin Richard E. , Daver Naval
Published: March 2020

Background

There have been concerns regarding increased peritransplantation complications, especially severe acute graft‐versus‐host disease (aGVHD), in patients with prior use of checkpoint inhibitors (CPI) before hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

Methods

The authors performed a retrospective study of 43 patients with acute myeloid leukemia and/or myelodysplastic syndromes who were treated with an antiprogrammed cell death protein 1 (PD‐1) (32 patients) or anticytotoxic T‐lymphocyte–associated protein 4 (CTLA‐4) (9 patients) blockade or both (2 patients) prior to HSCT with the primary outcome of aGVHD by day 100 after HSCT. Outcome analyses were stratified by GVHD prophylaxis as use of post‐HSCT cyclophosphamide (PTCy) (22 patients) or not (non‐PTCy) (21 patients).

Results

The PTCy group demonstrated a trend toward lower grade 3 to 4 aGVHD when compared with the non‐PTCy group (5% vs 22%), although the rates of grade 2 to 4 aGVHD were comparable (49% vs 56%). The interval between CPI and HSCT did not appear to impact the incidence of aGVHD. However, a higher incidence of grade 3 to 4 aGVHD was observed in patients who received >4 treatments of CPI prior to HSCT if they were not given PTCy as GVHD prophylaxis (43% vs 12%). Matched control analyses using patients with no prior use of CPI confirmed the increase in grade 3 to 4 aGVHD with those agents. However, that increased risk was limited to patients who did not receive PTCy and was not observed in patients who received PTCy as GVHD prophylaxis. Despite persistent improvement in GVHD with the use of PTCy, disease control was not compromised and progression‐free survival at 1 year was found to be superior for patients treated with PTCy compared with those not receiving PTCy among patients with prior use of CPI (55% vs 22%).

Conclusions

The results of the current study indicated that HSCT with prior use of CPI appears feasible in patients with acute myeloid leukemia and/or myelodysplastic syndromes and the use of PTCy as GVHD prophylaxis improves outcomes.
Co‐Crosslinked Water‐Soluble Biopolymers as a Binder for High‐Voltage LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4|Graphite Lithium‐Ion Full Cells
Authors: Kuenzel Matthias , Choi Hyeongseon , Wu Fanglin , Kazzazi Arefeh , Axmann Peter , Wohlfahrt‐Mehrens Margret , Bresser Dominic , Passerini Stefano
Published: March 2020

The use of water‐soluble, abundant biopolymers as binders for lithium‐ion positive electrodes is explored because it represents a great step forward towards environmentally benign battery processing. However, to date, most studies that employ, for instance, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as a binder have focused on rather low electrode areal loadings with limited relevance for industrial needs. This study concerns the use of natural guar gum (GG) as a binding agent for cobalt‐free, high‐voltage LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO), which realizes electrodes with substantially increased areal loadings, low binder content, and greatly enhanced cycling stability. Co‐crosslinking GG through citric acid with CMC allows for an enhanced rate capability and essentially maintains the beneficial impact of using GG as a binder rather than CMC only. Lithium‐ion full cells based on water‐processed LNMO and graphite electrodes provide a remarkably high cycling stability with 80 % capacity retention after 1000 cycles at 1 C.
Modelling characteristics of the impulse transformer in a wide frequency range
Authors: Górecki Krzysztof , Godlewska Małgorzata
Published: March 2020

In the paper, a new compact electrothermal model of the impulse transformer is proposed. This model has a form of a subcircuit dedicated for SPICE and could be used for low power impulse transformers applicable in switch‐mode power supplies used in electronics. It takes into account simultaneously electric, thermal, and magnetic phenomena occurring in the considered device and describe nonidealities of the core and windings. The form of the elaborated model and analytical dependences describing all its components are presented. Correctness of this model is verified experimentally in a wide range of frequency and load resistance for selected constructions of transformers. Satisfactory agreement between the results of computations and measurements is obtained
Characterization of the single nanosecond pulsed surface dielectric barrier plasma actuator: Geometric and electric effects
Authors: Xu Shuang Y. , Cai Jin S. , Wang Ji F. , Tang Sheng J.
Published: March 2020

The influence of the electrode length and the voltage pulses on the discharge characteristics of the surface dielectric barrier discharge actuators were investigated numerically by using the plasma kinetic model. The governing equations including the coupled continuity plasma discharge equation, drift‐diffusion equation, electron energy equation, Poisson's equation, and Navier–Stokes equation were solved in quiescent air at atmospheric pressure. The results show that the shorter pulse rising time results in higher discharge characteristics, more intense discharge, and bigger discharge region. Differently, the compared discharge characteristics for the electrodes with different lengths prove that the length of the powered and ground electrodes has little effect on the surface dielectric barrier discharge driven by nanosecond pulsed voltage.
Subtyping and EGFR mutation testing from blocks of cytological materials, based on liquid‐based cytology for lung cancer at bronchoscopic examinations
Authors: Tanaka Ryota , Ohtsuka Kouki , Ogura Wataru , Arai Nobuaki , Yoshida Tsutomu , Nakazato Yoko , Tachibana Keisei , Takata Saori , Fujiwara Masachika , Kamma Hiroshi , Shibahara Junji , Kondo Haruhiko
Published: March 2020

Background

Liquid‐based cytology (LBC) allows immunohistochemistry (IHC), fluorescence in situ hybridization, and molecular testing to be performed in fixed cell materials. We examined the feasibility of subtyping and EGFR mutation testing of bronchoscopic samples from patients with lung cancer using cell blocks (CB) based on LBC fixation (LBC‐CB).

Methods

We included 35 consecutive patients with peripheral lung nodules who underwent endobronchial ultrasonography with a guide sheath in our hospital. Thirty of these patients were diagnosed with lung cancer by obtaining cytological samples. Cytological subtyping was performed with IHC using LBC‐CB, and the Cobas EGFR Mutation Test ver. 2 was performed using extracted genomic DNA from the LBC‐CB, formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) tissue, and matched plasma.

Results

Of the 30 cases, 25 were classified cytomorphologically as adenocarcinoma (ADC, n = 17) and squamous‐cell carcinoma (SQCC, n = 8). The remaining five cases were classified by IHC as favor ADC (n = 3) and favor SQCC (n = 2) according to the WHO criteria. In the final ADC group (n = 20), EGFR mutations on the LBC‐CB were identified in eight cases (40%; 1 exon 19 deletion, 6 L858R, and 1 L861Q). Mutations in FFPE samples were identified in seven cases (35%) at the same site in each case. Plasma EGFR mutations were identified in four cases (20%) at the same site. The CB detection rate was higher than for FFPE and plasma.

Conclusion

LBC‐CB is suitable for subtyping and EGFR mutation testing in lung cancers.
Unpredictable maternal behavior is associated with a blunted infant cortisol response
Authors: Noroña‐Zhou Amanda N. , Morgan Alyssa , Glynn Laura M. , Sandman Curt A. , Baram Tallie Z. , Stern Hal S. , Davis Elysia Poggi
Published: March 2020

Background

Dysregulation of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis is associated with poor physical and mental health. Early‐life adversity may dysregulate cortisol response to subsequent stress. This study examines the association between patterns of maternal behavior and infant stress response to a challenge. Specifically, we test whether infant exposure to unpredictable maternal sensory signals is related to the cortisol response to a painful stressor.

Method

Participants were 102 mothers and their children enrolled in a longitudinal study. Patterns of maternal sensory signals were evaluated at 6 and 12 months during a 10‐min mother–infant play episode. Entropy rate was calculated as a quantitative measure of the degree of unpredictability of maternal sensory signals (visual, auditory, and tactile) exhibited during the play episode. Infant saliva samples were collected for cortisol analysis before and after inoculation at 12 months.

Results

Unpredictable patterns of maternal sensory signals were associated with a blunted infant cortisol response to a painful stressor. This relation persisted after evaluation of covariates including maternal sensitivity and maternal psychological distress.

Conclusions

This study provides evidence that unpredictable patterns of maternal sensory signals are one process through which caregiving affects the function of infant stress response systems.
Longitudinal studies of putative growth hormone (GH) biomarkers and hematological and steroidal parameters in relation to 2 weeks administration of human recombinant GH
Authors: Sieckmann Tobias , Elmongy Hatem , Ericsson Magnus , Bhuiyan Hasanuzzaman , Lehtihet Mikael , Ekström Lena
Published: March 2020

The detection of low doses of recombinant growth hormone is a challenge in antidoping testing. Future testing may lead toward the longitudinal monitoring of IGF‐I and P‐III‐NP in an endocrine module. Additional biomarkers, for example vitamin D binding protein, alpha‐HS‐glycoprotein, fibronectin 1, and decorin have been identified in different omics studies. This was a longitudinal study of the usefulness of these putative biomarkers in relation to 2 weeks administration of low doses of recombinant growth hormone in healthy male volunteers. Moreover, the hematological parameters included in the athlete biological passport were studied as well as the serum concentration of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. Fibronectin 1 increased by 20% during the treatment period (P ˂ 0.05), confirming the previous finding. Alpha‐HS‐glycoprotein decreased by 25% up to 3 weeks after treatment (P ˂ 0.05), contradicting previous results. The addition of fibronectin 1 increased the likelihood of detecting recombinant growth hormone intake based on individual calculated thresholds in some of the participants compared with the GH2000, IGF‐I, and P‐III‐NP. The multiplication of fibronectin 1 concentration by IGF‐I resulted in the most profound (up to 4‐fold) changes. A minor 15% increase (P = 0.003) in the reticulocyte percentage was observed, but the changes did not lead to any atypical profile based on individual passport thresholds. Vitamin D binding protein, decorin, testosterone, and dihydrotestosterone were not affected by growth hormone. Dihydrotestosterone sulfate was negatively correlated with IGF‐I at baseline (R = –0.50, P = 0.003) and post dose (R = –0.59, P = 0.01). In conclusion, fibronectin 1 was verified as a promising future biomarker for detecting low doses of recombinant growth hormone.
An integrative approach combining molecular analyses and experiments to investigate predation of insect eggs by a mite
Authors: Desurmont Gaylord A. , Bon Marie‐Claude , Kerdellant Elven , Guermache Fatiha , Pfingstl Tobias , Tixier Marie‐Stéphane
Published: March 2020

Uncovering the predation habits of small arthropods such as mites can be a major challenge, as direct observations are not always feasible in natura. Therefore, PCR‐based analyses of gut content, or body content when gut dissection is not applicable, are being increasingly used to detect remains of prey items. Here, we present an integrative approach to investigate predation of eggs of the viburnum leaf beetle Pyrrhalta viburni, an invasive pest in North America, by the oribatid mite species Trichoribates trimaculatus, to assess the potential of this mite as a biological control agent. We combined (1) manipulative laboratory experiments exposing beetle eggs to mites under controlled conditions and (2) body content molecular analyses using quantitative PCR (qPCR) to detect traces of consumed P. viburni egg DNA in mites. To account for risks of false‐negative and false‐positive results, mainly due to detectability problems, body surface contamination, and non‐specific DNA amplification, we developed a stepwise procedure to analyze qPCR results. Egg integrity and survivorship were unaffected by mites in all experiments. However, traces of P. viburni DNA were detected in the body of mites exposed to P. viburni eggs, suggesting that they consumed either fragments of the chorion or fragments of the egg cap secreted by P. viburni females to protect the eggs, which was shown to contain P. viburni DNA. In conclusion, T. trimaculatus does not directly impact P. viburni eggs and should therefore not be considered as a biocontrol agent. The fact that mites did not directly predate eggs but contained traces of P. viburni DNA shows that detection of an organism's DNA within a presumed predator does not necessarily equal predation and that results of molecular analyses should be interpreted with caution in studies attempting to reconstruct trophic interactions.
The honest mirror: Morality as a moderator of spontaneous behavioral mimicry
Authors: Menegatti Michela , Moscatelli Silvia , Brambilla Marco , Sacchi Simona
Published: March 2020

Two studies examined whether morality‐related information has a greater impact than sociability‐ or competence‐related information upon the spontaneous mimicry of an interaction partner. Participants were video recorded during an interaction with a confederate previously presented as moral versus lacking morality, or sociable versus lacking sociability (Study 1), or competent versus lacking competence (Study 2). Two coders rated the extent to which participants imitated the gestures of the confederate, participants’ postural openness, and the general smoothness of the interaction. When the confederate lacked moral qualities, mimicry and postural openness were lower, and the interaction was less smooth than when the confederate was highly moral, unsociable, or incompetent. Moreover, our findings showed that global impression is the key mediating mechanism driving such an effect. Indeed, knowing that another person behaved immorally resulted in a negative impression, which in turn hindered behavioral mimicry.
Development and characterization of a fiber optical fluorescence sensor for the online monitoring of biofilms and their microenvironment
Authors: Schlaugat Jana , Patzer Kai , Hentrop Thorleif , Solle Dörte , Pepelanova Iliyana , Schröder Uwe , Scheper Thomas
Published: March 2020

The growth of microorganisms on surfaces and interfaces as a biofilm is very common and plays important role in various areas such as material science, biomedicine, or waste treatment among others. Due to their inhomogeneous structure and the variance in the microorganism consortium, the analysis of biofilms represents a significant challenge. An online fluorescence sensor was developed that is able to measure the most important biological fluorophores (proteins, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, and flavin) in a noninvasive manner in biofilms, e.g. in bioelectrochemical applications. The sensor gives the opportunity to continuously draw conclusions on the metabolic state of the biofilm. The developed sensor has a diameter of 1 mm at the sensor tip and can be moved on and into the biofilm surface. In the first experiment, the measuring range of the sensor and the long‐term stability could be determined and the system applicability was confirmed. In addition, measurements in biofilm‐like structures could be performed. The formation of a wastewater‐based biofilm was monitored using the developed sensor, demonstrating the functionality of the sensor in a proof‐of‐principle experiment.
Effect of ceramic waste powder as partial fine aggregate replacement on properties of fiber‐reinforced aerated concrete
Authors: Hamad Ali Jihad , Sldozian Rami Joseph Aghajan , A. Mikhaleva Zoya
Published: March 2020

Researchers have continuously attempted to reduce and recycle construction waste. Ceramic waste is mainly a byproduct of the manufacturing process. About 25% of the waste is produced because of dimension defects or incurring problems throughout the industrial process. This article aims to highlight the alternative uses of ceramic waste. In this research, ceramic waste at a powder status is reduced to fine aggregates. Here, ceramic waste powder (CWP) is used in different ratios of 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% replacing the fine aggregate weight. Aluminum powder is used to obtain aerated concrete (AC). Glass fibers are added in ratios of 1%, 1.5%, and 2% of cement weight to obtain a fiber‐reinforced AC. The unit weight, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and thermal conductivity are estimated. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy is performed to investigate the microstructure features of the composite. The results exhibit better performance in compressive and splitting tensile strength when fine aggregates were replaced by 25% and 50% of CWP. In addition, 1.5% of GFs enhance the compressive and splitting tensile strength. In addition, increasing the CWP decreases the unit weight of fiber‐reinforced AC. It is shown that CWP strongly influences the thermal conductivity of the fiber‐reinforced AC, resulting in a high composite resistant to heat transmission. The technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution method is used to obtain the optimal mix.
Predicting the next location: A self‐attention and recurrent neural network model with temporal context
Authors: Zeng Jun , He Xin , Tang Haoran , Wen Junhao
Published: March 2020

Nowadays, the popularity of mobile devices and location‐based services have generated a large amount of geographic data. It provides the opportunity for researchers to employ techniques to predict the next location. However, predicting the next location is difficult because it depends on temporal and spatial factors, and it is closely related to the historical behavior of users. In this article, we first analyze the geographic data of users and discover the potential behavior patterns of users. Then, we mine the relationship between user's movement behavior and temporal feature. Hence, we propose a method based on a recurrent neural network and self‐attention mechanism to predict the next location where users may visit. Our model can explore sequence regularity and extract temporal features according to historical trajectories information. Experimental results on a real‐world dataset demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed model.
A full‐duplex radio over fiber architecture employing 12 Gbps 16 × 16 optical multiple input multiple output for next‐generation communication networks
Authors: Iqbal Saeed , Raza Aadil , Fasih Uddin Butt Muhammad , Ghafoor Salman , El‐Hajjar Mohammed
Published: March 2020

In this article, a full‐duplex millimeter wave (mm‐wave) enabled radio‐over‐fiber architecture is proposed for distributed antenna systems. This architecture is capable of achieving transmission of 16 × 16 optical multiple input multiple output spatial streams at 12 Gbps per spatial stream by employing wavelength division multiplexing and exploiting its other degrees of freedom such as polarization states and modes of wavelengths. A single laser source based multiwavelength comb and wavelength reuse techniques along with plastic optical fiber are employed to make the proposed architecture cost efficient. Optical heterodyne detection is performed at the radio access unit to generate mm‐wave carrier frequency at 60 GHz. Channel equalization is achieved for pulse amplitude modulation data signal by employing least mean square equalizer to mitigate the optical fiber channel effects. Our proposed system supports 16 × 12 Gbps for downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) transmissions. To evaluate the performance of the proposed system, we compare the receiver sensitivities at forward error correction limit of 3.8 ×
10−3 of bit error ratio of back to back system, employing no fiber effects, with its counterparts. We show that acceptable power penalties for the fiber lengths of 200 and 400 m are achieved for both LP01 and LP11 modes in DL and UL directions.
Synthesis of copper(II)‐zinc‐molybdenum compounds as smoke suppressants for PVC compositions
Authors: Rodolfo Antonio , Innocentini‐Mei Lucia Helena
Published: March 2020

The objectives of this research were a fist approach for the development of a simple route for the synthesis of smoke suppressants based on the deposition of copper (II)‐zinc‐molybdenum compounds over calcium carbonate. It also aimed the investigation of their effects onto the dehydrochlorination behavior (thermogravimetry) and heat release and smoke development (cone calorimetry), when incorporated into a reference poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) composition. The results show that a simple synthesis route, based on the reaction of copper (II) and zinc molybdates precursors in an aqueous media over calcium carbonate, can lead to the formation of candidate smoke suppressant compounds, despite the fact that it was not possible to identify the expected molybdates through X‐ray diffractometry. When adding these compounds to a plasticized reference PVC composition, both heat and smoke peaks during the combustion process are reduced, with minor changes in the heat stability of the composition.
PEMFC Flow‐field Design, Channel/land Width Ratio Optimization
Authors: André J. , Claude E. , Sirac D. , Gastaldin D. , Rossinot E.
Published: March 2020

The impact of different land width and channel span configurations was evaluated on a 260 cm2 active area short stack. Polarization curves were compared at 65 °C cell output, max 7 °C cell delta T, 50% RH humidified air, ambient pressure at cell outlet, air pressure drop below 4 kPa at 1 A cm−2.

Adequate opening ratio, about 50% or more is widely recognized as an optimal value to minimize contact resistance and diffusion losses at high current density. However, this work tends to show that performance optimization is linked to the total channel edge length per centimeter squared, ponderated by the opening ratio value. Total channel edge length is simply the sum of the edge length values on the flow‐field in contact with the membrane electrode assembly (MEA). Edges actually concentrate all the conditions for the reaction to occur: presence of gas phase and easy electron transport thanks to plate bulk conductivity. This could explain contrasted results existing in literature. Based on this work, a new cell design was developed allowing to reach 1 W cm−2 (extrapolated) with less than 20 kPa pressure drop (i.e., unchanged operating conditions except that pressure drop reached 10 kPa due to shallower channels compared to base case).
Effects of non‐pharmacological therapies for people with mild cognitive impairment. A Bayesian network meta‐analysis
Authors: Wang Ying‐quan , Jia Rui‐xia , Liang Jing‐hong , Li Jing , Qian Sheng , Li Jia‐yu , Xu Yong
Published: March 2020

Objective

To compare the effects of non‐pharmacological therapies (NPTs) on improving the cognition of people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) by performing a Bayesian network meta‐analysis (NMA).

Methods

We searched eight databases for potentially eligible studies. Physical exercise (PE), cognitive stimulation (CS), cognitive training (CT), cognitive rehabilitation (CR), musical therapy (MT) and multi‐domain interventions (MI). Pairwise meta‐analyses were performed by estimating the weighted mean differences with 95% confidence interval (CI) for mini‐mental state examination. The NMA was undertaken to compare different interventions.

Results

CS, PE, MI, MT and CT may all be effective in improving the cognition of patients with MCI. CR was unable to show a significant efficacy. Our NMA ranking results suggest the effectiveness of the six NPTs to be ranked from best to worst as follows: CS, PE, MI, MT, CT and CR.

Conclusions

NPT has great potential to improve the cognition of the elderly with MCI. CS has the highest probability of being the optimal NPT. However, the result should be interpreted with cautions given the limited number and small samples of included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in this field, large diversity existing in different study designs and potential risk of bias. Future RCTs with high quality and large sample sizes are required to confirm our results.

NPT, as a whole definition, has great potential to improve the cognition of the elderly with MCI. Our NMA ranking results suggest the effectiveness of the six NPTs to be ranked from best to worst as follows: CS, PE, MI, MT, CT and CR.
Contemporary Issues in Women's Health
Authors: Geary Michael , Chibwesha Carla , Stringer Elizabeth
Published: March 2020

Should we give prophylactic antibiotics routinely after operative vaginal delivery?

Delivering better maternity care experiences across public health systems in low‐ and middle‐income countries

PROLONG Study shows no benefit from 17‐hydroxyprogesterone in preventing recurrent spontaneous preterm birth.
Variability associated with interpreting drugs within forensic hair analysis: A three‐stage interpretation
Authors: Davies Christopher , Gautam Lata , Grela Agatha , Morrissey Joanne
Published: March 2020

Hair analysis is capable of determining both an individual's long‐term drug history and a single exposure to a drug, which can be particularly important for corroborating incidents of drug‐facilitated crimes. As a source of forensic evidence that may be used in a court of law, it must be credible, impartial and reliable, yet the pathways of drug and metabolite entry into hair are still uncertain. Many variables may influence drug analysis results, most of which are outside of the control of an analyst. An individual's pharmacokinetic and metabolic responses, hair growth rates, drug incorporation routes, axial migration, ethnicity, age and gender, for example, all display interpersonal variability. At present there is little standardization of the analytical processes involved with hair analysis. Both false positives and negative results for drugs are frequently encountered, regardless of whether a person has consumed a drug or not. In this regard, we have categorized these variables and proposed a three‐stage analytical approach to facilitate forensic toxicologists, hair analysis experts, judiciaries and service users in the analytical and interpretation process.
MiR‐671‐5p plays a promising role in restraining osteosarcoma cell characteristics through targeting TUFT1
Authors: Ma Cao , Nie Zhi‐Kui , Guo Hong‐Min , Kong Yao
Published: March 2020

The aim of our study was to explore the roles of miR‐671‐5p in mediating biological processes of osteosarcoma (OS) cells and clinical implications. On the basis of the OS samples acquired from the GEO database, the expression difference and overall survival analyses of miR‐671‐5p and TUFT1 were determined. The expression of MiR‐671‐5p was verified using OS cell lines. 3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide, wound‐healing, and Transwell assays were respectively carried out to probe whether miR‐671‐5p regulated OS cell vitality, migration, and invasion. The expression of miR‐671‐5p was downregulated in OS tissues and cell lines. High expression of MiR‐671‐5p blocked OS cell growth, migration, and invasion. TUFT1 was predicted and validated as the target of miR‐671‐5p in OS cells using in silico analysis and luciferase reporter assays. Forced expression of TUFT1 reversed the suppressive influence of miR‐671‐5p on cell viability, migration, and invasion of OS cells. Moreover, the low expression of miR‐671‐5p and the high expression of TUFT1 led to poor prognosis. Taken together, targeting miR‐671‐5p/TUFT1 may be a promising strategy for treating OS.
The immunomodulatory effects of tachykinins and their receptors
Authors: Khorasani Sahar , Boroumand Nadia , Lavi Arab Fahimeh , Hashemy Seyed Isaac
Published: March 2020

Tachykinins (TKs) are a family of neuropeptides mainly expressed by neuronal and non‐neuronal cell types, especially immune cells. Expression of TKs receptors on immune cell surfaces, their involvement in immune‐related disorders, and therefore, understanding their immunomodulatory roles have become of particular interest to researchers. In fact, the precise understanding of TKs intervention in the immune system would help to design novel therapeutic approaches for patients suffering from immune disorders. The present review summarizes studies on TKs function as modulators of the immune system by reviewing their roles in generation, activation, development, and migration of immune cells. Also, it discusses TKs involvement in three main cellular mechanisms including inflammation, apoptosis, and proliferation.
Functions of beta2‐adrenergic receptor in human periodontal ligament cells
Authors: Hamano Sayuri , Tomokiyo Atsushi , Hasegawa Daigaku , Yuda Asuka , Sugii Hideki , Yoshida Shinichiro , Mitarai Hiromi , Wada Naohisa , Maeda Hidefumi
Published: March 2020

Adrenergic receptors (ARs) are receptors of noradrenalin and adrenalin, of which there are nine different subtypes. In particular, β2 adrenergic receptor (β2‐AR) is known to be related to the restoration and maintenance of homeostasis in bone and cardiac tissues; however, the functional role of signaling through β2‐AR in periodontal ligament (PDL) tissue has not been fully examined. In this report, we investigated that β2‐AR expression in PDL tissues and their features in PDL cells. β2‐AR expressed in rat PDL tissues and human PDL cells (HPDLCs) derived from two different patients (HPDLCs‐2G and ‐3S). Rat PDL tissue with occlusal loading showed high β2‐AR expression, while its expression was downregulated in that without loading. In HPDLCs, β2‐AR expression was increased exposed to stretch loading. The gene expression of PDL‐related molecules was investigated in PDL clone cells (2‐23 cells) overexpressing β2‐AR. Their gene expression and intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels were also investigated in HPDLCs treated with a specific β2‐AR agonist, fenoterol (FEN). Overexpression of β2‐AR significantly promoted the gene expression of PDL‐related molecules in 2 to 23 cells. FEN led to an upregulation in the expression of PDL‐related molecules and increased intracellular cAMP levels in HPDLCs. In both HPDLCs, inhibition of cAMP signaling by using protein kinase A inhibitor suppressed the FEN‐induced gene expression of α‐smooth muscle actin. Our findings suggest that the occlusal force is important for β2‐AR expression in PDL tissue and β2‐AR is involved in fibroblastic differentiation and collagen synthesis of PDL cells. The signaling through β2‐AR might be important for restoration and homeostasis of PDL tissue.
FAM20C phosphorylation of the RGDSVVYGLR motif in osteopontin inhibits interaction with the αvβ3 integrin
Authors: Schytte Gitte N. , Christensen Brian , Bregenov Ida , Kjøge Katarzyna , Scavenius Carsten , Petersen Steen V. , Enghild Jan J. , Sørensen Esben S.
Published: March 2020

Osteopontin (OPN) is a ubiquitously expressed, multifunctional, and highly phosphorylated protein. OPN contains two neighboring integrin‐binding motifs, RGD and SVVYGLR, which mediate interaction with cells. Phosphorylation and proteolytic processing affect the integrin‐binding activities of OPN. Here we report that the kinase, FAM20C, phosphorylates Ser146 in the 143RGDSVVYGLR152 motif of OPN and that Ser146 is phosphorylated in vivo in human and bovine milk. Ser146 is located right next to the RGD motif and close by the regulatory thrombin and plasmin cleavage sites in the OPN sequence. Phosphorylation of Ser146 could potentially affect the proteolytic processing and the integrin‐binding activities of OPN. We show that phosphorylation of Ser146 does not affect the susceptibility of OPN for thrombin or plasmin cleavage. However, phosphorylation of Ser146 significantly reduces the RGD‐mediated interaction with the αvβ3 integrin in MDA‐MB‐435 and Moαv cells. This suggests a new mechanism by which specific phosphorylation of OPN can regulate interaction with the αvβ3 integrin and thereby affect OPN‐cell interaction.
MicroRNA‐124‐3p.1 promotes cell proliferation through Axin1‐dependent Wnt signaling pathway and predicts a poor prognosis of triple‐negative breast cancer
Authors: Yang Wenhua , Cui Guozhong , Ding Mingjian , Yang Meng , Dai Dianlu
Published: March 2020

Background

Triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one subtype of breast cancer, which is characterized by an aggressive disease. It is commonly accompanied with extremely poor prognosis because of no available molecularly targeted therapy. Thus, understanding the detailed molecular mechanisms of TNBC is urgently needed.

Methods

The levels of Axis inhibition protein 1 (Axin1), Cyclin D1, c‐Myc, and miR‐124‐3p.1 were measured by quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR). Furthermore, the breast cancer cell proliferation was measured by CCK‐8 assay, colony formation assays, and EdU staining. Xenograft model was used to show the tumor genesis of breast cancer cells. The regulatory function of miR‐124‐3p.1 on Wnt/β‐catenin signaling activation through directly targeting Axin1 was proven using qRT‐PCR, Western blot analysis, and dual‐luciferase reporter assay. To further assess the clinical significance of miR‐124‐3p.1 in the prognosis of breast cancer patients, we performed Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis and log‐rank tests.

Results

miR‐124‐3p.1 expression was elevated in advanced TNBC patients, and high miR‐124‐3p.1 predicts poor overall survival in TNBC patients. Further data showed that miR‐124‐3p.1 downregulation diminished, while miR‐124‐3p.1 upregulation increased the growth of TNBC cells in vitro and in vivo. Finally, we proved that miR‐124‐3p.1 exerted its function via targeting tumor suppressor gene Axin1 and activating the Wnt signaling pathway.

Conclusion

In summary, all the results demonstrate that miR‐124‐3p.1 promotes TNBC cell growth by controlling Axin1, suggesting that targeting miR‐124‐3p.1 might offer an effective therapeutic strategy for TNBC in the future.
The role of serum uric acid in the prediction of graft‐versus‐host disease in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Ghasemi Katayoon , Parkhideh Sayeh , Kazemi Mohammad Hossein , Salimi Maryam , Salari Sina , Nalini Ronak , Hajifathali Abbas
Published: March 2020

Background

Uric acid (UA) level is of the valuable signs of inflammation. However, the role of UA in the outcomes of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) such as GVHD and patients’ overall survival is still a matter of debate. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between UA levels and GVHD incidence and overall survival in allogeneic HSCT patients.

Methods

A total of 201 patients who were admitted for allogeneic transplantation at Taleghani hospital, Tehran, Iran, were considered for retrospective analysis. Serum UA levels from 1 week before transplantation until 2 weeks after transplantation were used to determine thresholds and find out the association of serum UA levels with GVHD and overall survival.

Results

We showed that the determined thresholds using receiver operating characteristic curves have poor predictive value for GVHD and overall survival. The patients with serum UA higher than 3.4 mg/dL had 37% lower odds of GVHD incidence and 35% lower hazard of death than patients with UA lower than 3.4 mg/dL.

Conclusion

Our results indicated that serum UA levels lower than 3.4 mg/dL could significantly increase the incidence of GVHD and hazard of death. The antioxidant functions of UA could explain the lower incidence of GVHD in hyperuricemic patients. However, the inconsistencies of the previous studies require further investigation to elucidate the role of UA in the prediction of GVHD.
Examining the narrative roles in suicide notes
Authors: Grayson Stacey , Tzani‐Pepelasi Calli , Pylarinou Ntaniella‐Roumpini , Ioannou Maria , Artinopoulou Vasiliki
Published: March 2020

The present study examines suicide notes, using a sample of suicide notes from published corpora (N = 50), combined with a sample of recent suicide notes from a suicide website (N = 50). The present study proposes a model of differentiation in completed suicides. The characteristics of the suicide notes were analysed using a content dictionary developed by Giles in 2007, and the data subjected to smallest space analysis. Four themes of suicide completer were discovered: Egoistic Victim, Anomic Hero, Altruistic Professional and Fatalistic Revenger. The implications of these findings and the potential use in therapy work with suicide survivors and those with suicidal ideation are discussed, as well as suggestions for the direction of future research.
Innate immune memory of tissue-resident macrophages and trained innate immunity: Re-vamping vaccine concept and strategies
Authors: Xing Zhou , Afkhami Sam , Bavananthasivam Jegarubee , Fritz Dominik K , D’Agostino Michael R , Vaseghi-Shanjani Maryam , Yao Yushi , Jeyanathan Mangalakumari
Published: March 2020

In the past few years, our understanding of immunological memory has evolved remarkably due to a growing body of new knowledge in innate immune memory and immunity. Immunological memory now encompasses both innate and adaptive immune memory. The hypo-reactive and hyper-reactive types of innate immune memory lead to a suppressed and enhanced innate immune protective outcome, respectively. The latter is also named trained innate immunity (TII). The emerging information on innate immune memory has not only shed new light on the mechanisms of host defense but is also revolutionizing our long-held view of vaccination and vaccine strategies. Our current review will examine recent progress and knowledge gaps in innate immune memory with a focus on tissue-resident Mϕs, particularly lung Mϕs, and their relationship to local antimicrobial innate immunity. We will also discuss the impact of innate immune memory and TII on our understanding of vaccine concept and strategies and the significance of respiratory mucosal route of vaccination against respiratory pathogens.
HIV‐1 genetic diversity and transmitted drug resistance among newly diagnosed HIV‐1 individuals in Jiangmen, China
Authors: Guan Xin , Han Min , Li Zhiju , Wang Lihua , Zhang Donghe , Zhu Yanan , Hu Guifang
Published: March 2020

Jiangmen is one of the Guangdong‐Hong Kong‐Macao Greater Bay Areas with frequent commercial intercourse, which is responsible for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‐1) rapid circulation and genetic evolution for recent years. As a novel HIV‐1 second‐generation recombinant was previously reported in Jiangmen but the systematic molecular epidemiological investigation was still unknown. A retrospective study on HIV‐1 genotypic characteristics and the emergence of transmitted drug resistance in this region was necessary. A total of 224 newly diagnosed HIV‐positive cases were randomly selected in Jiangmen City of Guangdong Province between 2018 and 2019. The partial gag (1080 bp), pol (840 bp), and env (460 bp) genes were amplified using nested polymerase chain reaction followed by sequencing. The phylogenetic and recombination analysis as well as HIV‐1 drug resistance were performed to surveillance. Sexual transmission was determined to be the major risk factor in Jiangmen. Phylogenetic analysis detected the genotypic distribution as follows: CRF01_AE (36.65%,70 of 191), CRF07_BC (32.46%, 62 of 191), CRF08_BC (4.71%, 9 of 191), CRF55_01B (5.24%, 10 of 191), CRF59_01B (3.14%, 6 of 191), subtype B (4.71%, 9 of 191), subtype C (1.05%, 2 of 191) as well as unique recombinant forms (12.04%, 23 of 191) consisted of seven recombinant patterns, which originated from multiple regions of China. Low‐level prevalence of Surveillance Drug Resistance Mutations (2.1%) were predicted but drug‐resistant mutations showed at a high level (15.4%) especially mutations in RT gene at position 179 were found to be the most frequent in the therapy‐naïve population. Our study highlighted the critical importance of monitoring the emerge of recombinant strains among newly diagnosed HIV‐1 individuals along with drug resistance regularly to prevent multi‐channel introduction and breakout of new HIV strains.