bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genomic and epigenomic active vitamin D responses in human colonic organoids
Authors: Li Jinchao , Witonsky David , Sprague Emily , Alleyne Dereck , Bielski Maggie C. , Lawrence Kristi M. , Kupfer Sonia S.
Published: April 2021

Active vitamin D, 1α,25(OH)2D3, is a nuclear hormone with roles in colonic homeostasis and carcinogenesis; yet, mechanisms underlying these effects are incompletely understood. Human organoids are an ideal system to study genomic and epigenomic host-environment interactions. Here, we use human colonic organoids to measure 1α,25(OH)2D3 responses on genome-wide gene expression and chromatin accessibility over time. Human colonic organoids were cultured and treated in triplicate with 100 nM 1α,25(OH)2D3 or vehicle control for 4 h and 18 h for chromatin accessibility, and 6 h and 24 h for gene expression. ATAC- and RNA-sequencing were performed. Differentially accessible peaks were analyzed using DiffBind and edgeR; differentially expressed genes were analyzed using DESeq2. Motif enrichment was determined using HOMER. At 6 h and 24 h, 2,870 and 2,721 differentially expressed genes, respectively (false discovery rate, FDR < 5%), were identified with overall stronger responses with 1α,25(OH)2D3. Similarly, 1α,25(OH)2D3 treatment led to stronger chromatin accessibility especially at 4 h. The vitamin D receptor (VDR) motif was strongly enriched among accessible chromatin peaks with 1α,25(OH)2D3 treatment accounting for 30.5% and 11% of target sequences at 4 h and 18 h, respectively (FDR < 1%). A number of genes such as CYP24A1, FGF19, MYC, FOS, and TGFBR2 showed significant transcriptional and chromatin accessibility responses to 1α,25(OH)2D3 treatment with accessible chromatin located distant from promoters for some gene regions. Assessment of chromatin accessibility and transcriptional responses to 1α,25(OH)2D3 yielded new observations about vitamin D genome-wide effects in the colon facilitated by application of human colonic organoids. This framework can be applied to study host-environment interactions between individuals and populations in the future.
The Efficacy of Moxibustion for Breast Cancer Patients with Chemotherapy-Induced Myelosuppression during Adjuvant Chemotherapy: A Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Ji Yajie , Li Siyu , Zhang Xinyue , Li Qiong , Lu Qing , Chen Weili , Liu Yu , Sheng Jiayu , Liang Hongli , Jiang Ke , Li Mengting , Sha Shanyan , Wu Huangan , Huang Yan , Xue Xiaohong
Published: April 2021

Objective. The randomized controlled clinical trial aims to investigate the clinical efficacy of moxibustion for breast cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression (CIM) during adjuvant chemotherapy. Methods. Surgically resected breast cancer patients were randomly divided into the moxibustion group (MOX; n = 48) and control group (CON; n = 44). Routine adjuvant chemotherapy (every 21 days, 4–8 cycles) and supportive recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor were given to both groups, while MOX received an additional moxibustion treatment (once daily after each cycle of chemotherapy). Primary endpoints included the grade of myelosuppression in terms of white blood cell (WBC) and absolute neutrophil count (ANC) and the incidence of myelosuppression-related serious adverse events (SAEs). Other measures included treatment compliance, adverse events (AEs), and survival. Results. WBC counts were generally higher in MOX and were dramatically higher than those in CON at the 7th course of chemotherapy (

P
=
0.008

), while grade 1 ANC reduction was dramatically lower than that in CON at the 7thcourse of chemotherapy (

P
=
0.006

). These effects were particularly significant in patients receiving anthracycline-taxane combination regimens. Moreover, MOX had fewer febrile neutropenia than CON (

P
=
0.051

). MOX demonstrated a lower incidence of grade 3–4 myelosuppression (

P
<
0.05

). AEs including grade 2–3 severe nausea, various kinds of pains, and vertigo occurred less frequently in MOX (

P
<
0.05

). No difference in survival was observed between the two groups (

P
>
0.05

). Conclusion. Moxibustion is effective for treating CIM in breast cancer patients during adjuvant chemotherapy, especially for patients receiving high-dose, long-term, and combined chemotherapy regimens. Moxibustion can reduce the incidence of myelosuppression-related SAE and improve the compliance and safety of chemotherapy in breast cancer.
Wearable Wireless Body Area Networks for Medical Applications
Authors: Tavera Carlos A. , Ortiz Jesús H. , Khalaf Osamah I. , Saavedra Diego F. , Aldhyani Theyazn H. H.
Published: April 2021

In recent times, there has been a significant growth in networks known as the wireless body area networks (WBANs). A WBAN connects distributed nodes throughout the human body, which can be placed on the skin, under the skin, or on clothing and can use the human body’s electromagnetic waves. An approach to reduce the size of different telecommunication equipment is constantly being sought; this allows these devices to be closer to the body or even glued and embedded within the skin without making the user feel uncomfortable or posing as a danger for the user. These networks promise new medical applications; however, these are always based on the freedom of movement and the comfort they offer. Among the advantages of these networks is that they can significantly increase user’s quality of life. For example, a person can carry a WBAN with built-in sensors that calculate the user’s heart rate at any given time and send these data over the internet to user’s doctor. This study provides a systematic review of WBAN, describing the applications and trends that have been developed with this type of network and, in addition, the protocols and standards that must be considered.
Surgical and Perioperative Considerations for the Treatment of Cataract in Eyes with Glaucoma: A Literature Review
Authors: Tsakiris Kleonikos , Kontadakis George , Georgoudis Panagiotis , Gatzioufas Zisis , Vergados Athanasios
Published: April 2021

Cataract surgery in the presence of glaucoma poses certain challenges that need to be addressed to offer the maximum benefit without complications. In this paper, we are reviewing the preoperative assessment, surgical options, the planning, and postoperative care. Cataract surgery can help reduce the intraocular pressure alone or combined with MIGS. When performed in patients with glaucoma, it can transiently increase the intraocular pressure and later on decrease the IOP to levels lower than the postoperative. The preoperative IOP and biometric characteristics are the main predictors of the postoperative course of IOP. The combination of cataract surgery with trabeculectomy remains controversial, in terms of best timing of each operation.
Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome in Patients Hospitalized for Acute Decompensation of Cirrhosis
Authors: Borgonovo Ariane , Baldin Caroline , Maggi Dariana C. , Victor Livia , Bansho Emilia T. O. , Piedade Juliana , Wildner Letícia M. , Guimarães Lívia , Bazzo Maria L. , Rocha Tamires , Dantas-Corrêa Esther B. , Alcântara Camila , Fernandes Flávia , Narciso-Schiavon Janaina L. , Pereira Gustavo H. S. , Schiavon Leonardo L.
Published: April 2021

Background. Although recently challenged, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria are still commonly used in daily practice to define sepsis. However, several factors in liver cirrhosis may negatively impact its prognostic ability. Goals. To investigate the factors associated with the presence of SIRS, the characteristics of SIRS related to infection, and its prognostic value among patients hospitalized for acute decompensation of cirrhosis. Study. In this cohort study from two tertiary hospitals, 543 patients were followed up, up to 90 days. Data collection, including the prognostic models, was within 48 hours of admission. Results. SIRS was present in 42.7% of the sample and was independently associated with upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGB), ACLF, infection, and negatively related to beta-blockers. SIRS was associated with mortality in univariate analysis, but not in multiple Cox regression analysis. The Kaplan–Meier survival probability of patients without SIRS was 73.0% and for those with SIRS was 64.7%. The presence of SIRS was not significantly associated with mortality when considering patients with or without infection, separately. Infection in SIRS patients was independently associated with Child-Pugh C and inversely related to UGB. Among subjects with SIRS, mortality was independently related to the presence of infection, ACLF, and Child-Pugh C. Conclusions. SIRS was common in hospitalized patients with cirrhosis and was of no prognostic value, even in the presence of infection.
Some Fixed Point Results in Function Weighted Metric Spaces
Authors: Asif Awais , Hussain Nawab , Al-Sulami Hamed , Arshad Muahammad
Published: April 2021

After the establishment of the Banach contraction principle, the notion of metric space has been expanded to more concise and applicable versions. One of them is the conception ofℱ-metric, presented by Jleli and Samet. Following the work of Jleli and Samet, in this article, we establish common fixed points results of Reich-type contraction in the setting ofℱ-metric spaces. Also, it is proved that a unique common fixed point can be obtained if the contractive condition is restricted only to a subset closed ball of the wholeℱ-metric space. Furthermore, some important corollaries are extracted from the main results that describe fixed point results for a single mapping. The corollaries also discuss the iteration of fixed point for Kannan-type contraction in the closed ball as well as in the wholeℱ-metric space. To show the usability of our results, we present two examples in the paper. At last, we render application of our results.
An Efficient Modified AZPRP Conjugate Gradient Method for Large-Scale Unconstrained Optimization Problem
Authors: Alhawarat Ahmad , Nguyen Thoi Trung , Sabra Ramadan , Salleh Zabidin
Published: April 2021

To find a solution of unconstrained optimization problems, we normally use a conjugate gradient (CG) method since it does not cost memory or storage of second derivative like Newton’s method or Broyden–Fletcher–Goldfarb–Shanno (BFGS) method. Recently, a new modification of Polak and Ribiere method was proposed with new restart condition to give a so-call AZPRP method. In this paper, we propose a new modification of AZPRP CG method to solve large-scale unconstrained optimization problems based on a modification of restart condition. The new parameter satisfies the descent property and the global convergence analysis with the strong Wolfe-Powell line search. The numerical results prove that the new CG method is strongly aggressive compared with CG_Descent method. The comparisons are made under a set of more than 140 standard functions from the CUTEst library. The comparison includes number of iterations and CPU time.
Acupotomy Contributes to Suppressing Subchondral Bone Resorption in KOA Rabbits by Regulating the OPG/RANKL Signaling Pathway
Authors: Wang Tong , Guo Yan , Shi Xiao-Wei , Gao Yang , Zhang Jia-Yi , Wang Chun-Jiu , Yang Xue , Shu Qi , Chen Xi-Lin , Fu Xin-Yi , Xie Wen-Shan , Zhang Yi , Li Bin , Guo Chang-Qing
Published: April 2021

Subchondral bone lesions, as the crucial inducement for accelerating cartilage degeneration, have been considered as the initiating factor and the potential therapeutic target of knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Acupotomy, the biomechanical therapy guided by traditional Chinese meridians theory, alleviates cartilage deterioration by correcting abnormal mechanics. Whether this mechanical effect of acupotomy inhibits KOA subchondral bone lesions is indistinct. This study aimed to investigate the effects of acupotomy on inhibiting subchondral bone resorption and to define the possible mechanism in immobilization-induced KOA rabbits. After KOA modeling, 8 groups of rabbits (4w/6w acupotomy, 4w/6w electroacupuncture, 4w/6w model, and 4w/6w control groups) received the indicated intervention for 3 weeks. Histological and bone histomorphometry analyses revealed that acupotomy prevented both cartilage surface erosion and subchondral bone loss. Further, acupotomy suppressed osteoclast activity and enhanced osteoblast activity in KOA subchondral bone, showing a significantly decreased expression of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9), and cathepsin K (Ctsk) and a significantly increased expression of osteocalcin (OCN); this regulation may be mediated by blocking the decrease in osteoprotegerin (OPG) and the increase in NF-

κ
B

receptor activated protein ligand (RANKL). These findings indicated that acupotomy inhibited osteoclast activity and promoted osteoblast activity to ameliorate hyperactive subchondral bone resorption and cartilage degeneration in immobilization-induced KOA rabbits, which may be mediated by the OPG/RANKL signaling pathway. Taken together, our results indicate that acupotomy may have therapeutic potential in KOA by restoring the balance between bone formation and bone resorption to attenuate subchondral bone lesions.
[Retracted] The Use of BT‐ESD Technology under General Intravenous Anesthesia in the Treatment of Nonmuscle Invasive Bladder Cancer and the Effect of PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway on Tumor Recurrence
Authors: Yan Haiyan , Xia Shunyao , Yao Dayong , Shi Jinghui , Liu Zan
Published: April 2021

Objective. The objective is to investigate the effect of minimally invasive treatment of nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) by transurethral endoscopic submucosal dissection of bladder tumor (BT‐ESD) under general intravenous anesthesia and the expression of Akt in NMIBC and to study the effect of upregulation of intracellular phosphatidylinositol kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) on tumor recurrence. Method. 130 patients with NMIBC were selected as the research subjects, including 101 males and 29 females. The patients were divided into transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) group, BT‐ESD learning group A (early 20 cases of chief surgeon), and BT‐ESD learning group B (follow‐up cases of the chief surgeon). The general information (male and female prevalence ratio and average age), operation duration, postoperative bladder irrigation duration, postoperative indwelling catheter time, postoperative hospitalization time, and postoperative complications were compared among the patients in all groups. The normal bladder tissues and pathological tissues of NMIBC patients were stained by immunohistochemistry. Results. No significant difference is identified in age among the three groups (P > 0.05), but there are significant differences in the operation duration, postoperative bladder irrigation time, postoperative indwelling catheter time, and postoperative hospital stay (P > 0.05). At the same time, compared with BT‐ESD group A and BT‐ESD group B, the number of postoperative complications in TURBT group is statistically different (P < 0.05). Akt has a strong positive expression in the nucleus of patients, which indicates that Akt activated by cellular PI3K will form the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and reduce the recurrence rate of bladder tumor.
A Video Production Method of Microclass Combined with MOOC
Authors: Yan Qingbo
Published: April 2021

In recent years, video production has become one of the key challenges for researchers in the area. In the face of the poor video effects of earlier video production methods and approaches, this study has considered the MOOC-based microclass combined with the MOOC video production method for improving the video production effect. According to the idea of MOOC, based on the early design stage and shooting preparation stage of video development, the video development team prepares the text, manuscript, and course type according to the initial design stage of video development and formulates the recording process. In the video recording stage, all activities of classroom teaching are recorded through the multislot mode for enhancing the sense of scene of the video picture. In the later stage of video production, video editing and feature processing are implemented by means of film and television to improve the effect of video production. The video production method based on the Hidden Markov model is used to ensure the continuity of front and back shots and complete online open video production and release to the cloud. The experimental results of the study show that the application effect of this method is effective, and the average satisfaction is as high and measured as 91.36%.
Surface Modification with NGF-Loaded Chitosan/Heparin Nanoparticles for Improving Biocompatibility of Cardiovascular Stent
Authors: Song Haixin , Wu Tao , Yang Xiaotian , Li Yangzheng , Ye Ye , Li Bo , Liu Tao , Liu Shihui , Li Jianhua
Published: April 2021

Late thrombosis and restenosis remain major challenges to the safety of drug-eluting stents. Biofunctional modification to endow the surface with selective anticoagulation and promote endothelium regeneration has become a hotpot recently. In this study, chitosan and heparin were found to form three-dimensional nanoparticles by spontaneous electrostatic interaction. Based on the specific binding properties between heparin and nerve growth factor (NGF), a new type of NGF-loaded heparin/chitosan nanoparticles was constructed for surface modification. The results of material characterization show that the nanoparticles are successfully immobilized on the surface of the material. In vitro blood compatibility and endothelial cell compatibility assay showed that the modified surface could selectively inhibit platelet adhesion and smooth muscle cell overproliferation, while accelerating endothelialization via promoting endothelial cell proliferation and enhancing endothelial progenitor cell mobilization.
The Development and Design of Artificial Intelligence in Cultural and Creative Products
Authors: Li Xue , Lin Baifeng
Published: April 2021

The rapid development of the global cultural and creative industry has provided a new stage for the development and innovation of Chinese traditional culture. Cultural creativity has broken the rigid design and production mode of traditional products from the perspective of market and has become the key to improve the economic benefits and competitiveness of traditional products. From the perspective of cultural and creative product design and product development, artificial intelligence technology has been fully utilized at the present stage. The purpose of this article is to compare the traditional design patterns used in product design and understand the new design patterns assisted by artificial intelligence so as to achieve the purpose of process simplification and design innovation more quickly. In this article, traditional graphic patterns and local cultural connotations of the experimental area are taken as the main research points. Through a large number of field investigations and first-hand photo materials, the regional cultural characteristics and local traditional graphic language are analyzed in detail and then summarized. Finally, the examples of development research are summarized and reflected. It is hoped that through the further excavation of the traditional patterns of the region and the exploration of the level of regional culture regeneration, the development of local economy, culture, and tourism can be driven, and a cultural brand that can go out of Anhui province and into the whole country can be built. At the present stage of product research and development, the key is to introduce artificial intelligence means as necessary support and try to infiltrate artificial intelligence measures in the research and development of new products in each link.
A Transfer Deep Generative Adversarial Network Model to Synthetic Brain CT Generation from MR Images
Authors: Gu Yi , Zheng Qiankun
Published: April 2021

Background. The generation of medical images is to convert the existing medical images into one or more required medical images to reduce the time required for sample diagnosis and the radiation to the human body from multiple medical images taken. Therefore, the research on the generation of medical images has important clinical significance. At present, there are many methods in this field. For example, in the image generation process based on the fuzzy C‐means (FCM) clustering method, due to the unique clustering idea of FCM, the images generated by this method are uncertain of the attribution of certain organizations. This will cause the details of the image to be unclear, and the resulting image quality is not high. With the development of the generative adversarial network (GAN) model, many improved methods based on the deep GAN model were born. Pix2Pix is a GAN model based on UNet. The core idea of this method is to use paired two types of medical images for deep neural network fitting, thereby generating high‐quality images. The disadvantage is that the requirements for data are very strict, and the two types of medical images must be paired one by one. DualGAN model is a network model based on transfer learning. The model cuts the 3D image into multiple 2D slices, simulates each slice, and merges the generated results. The disadvantage is that every time an image is generated, bar‐shaped “shadows” will be generated in the three‐dimensional image. Method/Material. To solve the above problems and ensure the quality of image generation, this paper proposes a Dual3D&PatchGAN model based on transfer learning. Since Dual3D&PatchGAN is set based on transfer learning, there is no need for one‐to‐one paired data sets, only two types of medical image data sets are needed, which has important practical significance for applications. This model can eliminate the bar‐shaped “shadows” produced by DualGAN’s generated images and can also perform two‐way conversion of the two types of images. Results. From the multiple evaluation indicators of the experimental results, it can be analyzed that Dual3D&PatchGAN is more suitable for the generation of medical images than other models, and its generation effect is better.
Study of Clogging Phenomenon for a Conical Hopper: The Influence of Particle Bed Height and Hopper Angle
Authors: Khalid Muhammad Hammad , Zhou Yixian
Published: April 2021

The granular flow is one of the principal issues for the design of pebble bed reactors. Particularly, the clogging phenomenon raises an important issue for pebble bed reactors. In this paper, we conduct experiments and discrete particle simulation of two-dimensional discharge granular flow from a conical hopper, to study the effect of the particle bed height

h

and hopper angle

α

on the clogging phenomenon. In general, the clogging probability

J

increases with height

h

and starts to saturate when

h

is larger than a critical value. The experimental result trends are supported by discrete simulations. To understand the underlying physical mechanism, we conduct discrete particle simulations for various

h

values, focusing on the following parameters: the statistical averaging of the volume fraction, velocity, and contact pressure of particles near the aperture during the discharge. We found that, among all relevant variables, the contact pressure of particles is the main cause of the increasement of J when

h

increases. An exponential law between the pebble bed

h

and clogging probability J has been established based on these observations and Janssen model. As for hopper angle

α

, J shows an almost constant behavior for any rise in

α

followed by a sudden regression at

α
=

75

°

. Surprisingly, the effect of

α

is most obvious for intermediate values of

h

, where we observe a sharp increasement of clogging probability. The same trend is observed in the two-dimensional discrete simulation results.
Long-Term and Short-Term Prognostic Value of Circulating Soluble Suppression of Tumorigenicity-2 Concentration in Chronic Heart Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Dong Guoqi , Chen Hao , Zhang Hongru , Gu Yihuang
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Soluble suppression of tumorigenicity-2 (sST2) has been considered as a prognostic factor of cardiovascular disease. However, the prognostic value of sST2 concentration in chronic heart failure remains to be summarized. Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for eligible studies up to January 1, 2020. Data extracted from articles and provided by authors were used in agreement with the PRISMA statement. The endpoints were all-cause mortality (ACM), cardiovascular mortality (CVM)/heart failure-related hospitalization (HFH), and all-cause mortality (ACM)/heart failure-related readmission (HFR). Results: A total of 11 studies with 5,121 participants were included in this analysis. Higher concentration of sST2 predicted the incidence of long-term ACM (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02–1.04), long-term ACM/HFR (HR: 1.42, CI: 1.27–1.59), and long-term CVM/HFH (HR: 2.25, CI: 1.82–2.79), regardless of short-term ACM/HFR (HR: 2.31, CI: 0.71–7.49). Conclusion: Higher sST2 concentration at baseline is associated with increasing risk of long-term ACM, ACM/HFR, and CVM/HFH and can be a tool for the prognosis of chronic heart failure.
A Rapid Amniotic Fluid Interleukin-6 Assessment for the Identification of Intra-Amniotic Inflammation in Women with Preterm Labor and Intact Membranes
Authors: Cobo Teresa , Aldecoa Victoria , Holeckova Magdalena , Andrys Ctirad , Filella Xavier , Jacobsson Bo , Kacerovsky Marian
Published: April 2021

Objectives: A multivariable predictive model has recently been developed with good accuracy to predict spontaneous preterm delivery within 7 days in women with preterm labor (PTL) and intact membranes. However, this model measures amniotic fluid (AF) interleukin (IL)-6 concentrations using the ELISA method, thereby limiting clinical implementation. The main objectives of this study were to validate the automated immunoassay as a quantitative method to measure AF IL-6 in women with PTL and to evaluate the diagnostic performance of AF IL-6 alone and as part of a multivariable predictive model to predict spontaneous delivery in 7 days with this automated method. Study Design: This is a retrospective observational study in women with PTL below 34 weeks who underwent amniocentesis to rule out microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity. Women with clinical signs of chorioamnionitis, cervical length measurement at admission >5th centile, maternal age <18 years, and no consent to perform amniocentesis for this indication were excluded. The local Institutional Review Boards approved the study (HCB/2019/0940). Analysis of AF IL-6 Concentrations: AF IL-6 concentrations were measured using an automated Cobas e602 electrochemiluminescence immunoanalyzer and Human IL-6 Quantikine ELISA kit. Results: Of the entire study group (n = 100), 38 women spontaneously delivered within 7 days after admission. Both laboratory methods showed good agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.937 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.908–0.957); p < 0.001). Diagnostic performance of AF IL-6 to predict spontaneous delivery within 7 days when it was included in the multivariable predictive model showed an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.894 (95% CI 0.799–0.955), sensitivity of 97%, specificity of 74%, positive predictive value of 73%, negative predictive value of 97%, positive likelihood ratio (LR) of 3.7, and negative LR of 0.045. Conclusion: While both analytical methods were comparable for measuring AF IL-6 concentrations in women with PTL, the Cobas immunoanalyzer provided rapid diagnosis of intra-amniotic inflammation within minutes. The predictive model showed a good diagnostic performance to target women at high risk of spontaneous delivery within 7 days.
Cell-Free Circulating Tumor DNA Improves Standard Genotyping of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer and Increases Detection of Targetable Alterations in a Selected Hispanic Cohort
Authors: Zatarain-Barrón Zyanya Lucia , Cardona Andrés F. , Díaz-García Diego , Trejo Rosales Rogelio , Rojas Leonardo , Cruz-Rico Graciela , Nagy Rebecca , Cabrera Luis , Vargas Carlos , Saam Jennifer , Barrón Feliciano , Arrieta Oscar
Published: April 2021

Background: Several studies have shown that the non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) genomic background among Hispanics differs from other populations. The finding of low-frequency genomic alterations in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) can increase diagnostic accuracy and could improve treatment in NSCLC. Methods: Data from 54 Hispanic patients with advanced NSCLC with high clinical suspicion for ALK, EGFR, and ROS1 mutations were collected (including young age, female sex, and non-smokers). cfDNA was extracted from plasma and analyzed using a commercial next-generation sequencing test (Guardant360) which detects genomic alterations in 74 genes. Results: The median age was 56 years (range 31–83). Most patients were female (661.1%) and never smokers (72.3%). Among the patients included, 96% (52/54) had cfDNA detectable alterations with a mean number of 3.37 cfDNA alterations per test (range 1–10). cfDNA was able to detect some genomic alterations previously undetected by tissue biopsy. Among patients with insufficient or unavailable tissue to perform testing, mutations in EGFR and ALK which led to a change in therapy were determined using cfDNA in 28.8 and 3.8% of cases, respectively. Among patients with cfDNA alterations, 46.1% (n = 24) were switched to a targeted therapy with a median progression-free survival of 11.1 months (95% CI 7.6–14.6) and an overall survival of 40.3 months (95% CI 27.1–53.6). Concurrent genetic mutations with TP53 and KRAS negatively impacted the prognosis. Conclusions: In a selected population of NSCLC Hispanic patients, comprehensive cfDNA analysis allowed a treatment change in 46.1% of the cases. Guardant360 allows the identification of genomic alterations to improve treatment selection and increase prognosis.
Measurement of the Uterocervical Angle for Predicting the Latent Period in Pregnancy Exhibiting Premature Membrane Rupture
Authors: Ercan Fedi , Yenigul Nefise Nazli , Baser Emre
Published: April 2021

Objectives: The duration of the latent period is uncertain in preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). This time estimate provides information on the time of the corticosteroid to be applied and the time of delivery of the pregnant women. Here, we used transvaginal sonography to determine the relationship between the uterocervical angle (UCA) and PPROM latency and the risk for neonatal complications. Design: This is a prospective cohort study of 80 singleton pregnancies with PPROM. Participants/Materials, Setting, and Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary center with a total of 80 singleton pregnancies with PPROM. The UCA and cervical length were measured in the first evaluation of PPROM in patients between 24 and 34 weeks of age. The study population was subdivided into 2 groups: group 1 (n = 27) included women who gave birth within 10 days after a PPROM diagnosis and group 2 (n = 53) included women who gave birth later than this. Our aim was latency prediction (more or less than 10 days) in PPROM patients undergoing regular UCA monitoring. Results: Of the women in group 1, 74.1% (n = 20) had spontaneous births and 7.4% (n = 2) had induced births because of clinical chorioamnionitis. Of the women in group 2, 71.6% (n = 38) had spontaneous births and 7.6% (n = 4) had induced births because of clinical chorioamnionitis (n = 3) or poor fetal condition (n = 1). We drew receiver operating characteristic curves to explore whether the UCA predicted birth within 10 days of PPROM. The area under the curve was 0.894 (p < 0.001). The optimal UCA cutoff was 108°, with 93% sensitivity and 85% specificity. Limitations: First, the sample size was small; it would have been better to have more patients. Second, we measured the UCA only once. Third, patients were not categorized by parity. Conclusions: The UCA, measured by the transvaginal route, can successfully predict latent period in PPROM. Measuring the UCA can be useful to determine the time of corticosteroid administration and to inform patients about the time of birth.
Bone Quality in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients: Current Concepts and Future Directions – Part II
Authors: Asadipooya Kamyar , Abdalbary Mohamed , Ahmad Yahya , Kakani Elijah , Monier-Faugere Marie-Claude , El-Husseini Amr
Published: April 2021

Background: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have an increased risk of osteoporotic fractures, which is due not only to low bone volume and mass but also poor microarchitecture and tissue quality. The pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions detailed, herein, are potential approaches to improve bone health in CKD patients. Various medications build up bone mass but also affect bone tissue quality. Antiresorptive therapies strikingly reduce bone turnover; however, they can impair bone mineralization and negatively affect the ability to repair bone microdamage and cause an increase in bone brittleness. On the other hand, some osteoporosis therapies may cause a redistribution of bone structure that may improve bone strength without noticeable effect on BMD. This may explain why some drugs can affect fracture risk disproportionately to changes in BMD. Summary: An accurate detection of the underlying bone abnormalities in CKD patients, including bone quantity and quality abnormalities, helps in institution of appropriate management strategies. Here in this part II, we are focusing on advancements in bone therapeutics that are anticipated to improve bone health and decrease mortality in CKD patients. Key Messages: Therapeutic interventions to improve bone health can potentially advance life span. Emphasis should be given to the impact of various therapeutic interventions on bone quality.
Report on the stingless bees of Bhutan (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini)
Authors: Nidup Tshering
Published: April 2021

Two species of stingless bees, Tetragonula gressitti (Sakagami) and Lepidotrigona arcifera (Cockerell), are reported from Bhutan for the first time.  The nest description and meliponiculture are described.  This is the gross underestimation of Meliponini diversity in Bhutan and summons more study on the diversity, biology, and meliponiculture.
Habitat preference of the Indian Pangolin Manis crassicaudata inhabiting Margalla Hills National Park, Islamabad, Pakistan
Authors: Mahmood Tariq , Andleeb Shaista , Akrim Faraz
Published: April 2021

The Indian Pangolin Manis crassicaudata, is an ‘Endangered’ mammal species native to Pakistan but facing a risk of extinction due to hunting pressure for its scales used in trade.  The current study investigated habitat preference of this unique species in the Margalla Hills National Park, Islamabad, from September 2011 to August 2012.  Three habitat types, viz, human vicinity area, agricultural land, and wild/natural area, were searched for recording signs of Indian Pangolin.  Data on habitat preference was collected from direct and indirect signs of the species by monitoring 85 line transects, each measuring 500m in length and 50m in width, in 17 different sampling sites.  A total of 323 signs of Indian Pangolin were recorded including 299 burrows, 10 live sightings, and 14 scats of the species.  The maximum number of signs were recorded in wild or unmodified natural area (55.1%), followed by those in vicinity to human use area (20.12%), while the least (24.76%) were found in agricultural area.  Statistical comparison using one-way analysis of variance of pangolin field signs, among three different types of habitats studied, differed significantly (df= 48, F= 13.723, p <0.001).  Similarly, LSD analysis further revealed that field signs of Indian pangolin recorded on natural or wild habitat significantly differed from those which were on agricultural land and human vicinity area (p <0.001).  The study concludes that the Indian Pangolin prefers habitats in the wild or natural area over those close to human vicinity and agricultural lands.
Nest tree preference shown by Ring-necked Parakeet Psittacula krameri (Scopoli, 1769) in northern districts of Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Pandian M.
Published: April 2021

This paper pertains to the nesting aspects of Psittacula krameri with specific reference to nesting-related habitats, number of individuals encountered, inter-specific interactions, and abnormalities in 71 villages covering seven northern districts of Tamil Nadu.  A total of 797 nests (500 active and 297 non-active nests) and 1,119 individuals were enumerated on 284 trees and 13 temples/buildings belonging to eight species, seven genera, and five families.  The highest number of nests (320) and birds (469) occurred on Borassus flabellifer L., followed by Cocos nucifera L., Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth., Madhuca longifolia J.F.Gmel., Phoenix sylvestris (L.) Roxb., and Ficus benghalensis L.  This species prefers dead trees than living trees for nesting.  The study reveals that 63.4% nests (n= 505) and 65.1% birds (n= 729) were found on dead trees of B. flabellifer, C. nucifera, and P. sylvestris.  They generally prefer to build nests on trees situated near agricultural lands, followed by those near water bodies, human settlements, and temples/buildings.  Pearson’s chi-square test indicates that the birds showed preference towards certain nesting sites/nesting species.  Inter-specific interactions occurred between P. krameri and Blue Rock Pigeon, Spotted Owlet, Indian Roller, and Black-rumped Flameback for sharing of cavities/holes for construction of nests.  Abnormalities in bird’s beak, cere, colour of feathers, and a suspected psittacine beak & feather disease (PBFD) were observed.
A new distribution record of mason wasp Pison punctifrons Shuckard, 1838 (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae: Larrinae) from Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
Authors: Bais Rajiv K. Singh , Bais Aakash Singh
Published: April 2021

This paper reports occurrence of mason wasp Pison punctifrons Shuckard, 1838 from Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India.  This is a new distribution record for the species.  This paper examines the nest architecture and prey choices of the wasp and carries the photographic record of a live P. punctifrons Shuckard on her nest with prey.
Indigenous knowledge of ethnomedicinal plants by the Assamese community in Dibrugarh District, Assam, India
Authors: Gogoi Pranati , Nath Namita
Published: April 2021

The present investigation is an attempt to study the uses of ethnomedicinal plants in traditional knowledge system among the Assamese community of Dibrugarh District in Assam.  All the relevant data were collected during 2017–2019 by following standard ethnobotanical methods through personal interviews as well as through focus group discussions with a total of 193 informants including 62 men and 131 women.  The use value (UV) of the medicinal plants and informant consensus factors (FIC) values were determined.  In the study 174 ethnomedicinal plant species were documented belonging to 147 genera and 78 families.  Except for three species, the 171 species are Angiosperms mostly collected from the wild.  Among the 174 species of medicinal plants, 12 species are listed under various categories by IUCN and CITES.  All these plants are used to treat various diseases that are grouped under 13 ICPC (International Classification of Primary Care) disease categories, with the highest use value (0.54) recorded in Leucas aspera followed by Paederia scandens with (0.5) use value.  This confirms that these plants are important traditional herbs with potent medicinal uses.  The highest informant consensus factor with the highest number of species (93) being used for the digestive system (FIC= 0.76%), followed by oral and dentistry (FIC= 0.73%) category.  The ethnic communities in the district are rich in traditional knowledge which is evident from the use records and high degree of consensus among the informants.
Three new distribution records of Conidae (Gastropoda: Neogastropoda: Conoidea) from the Andaman Islands, India
Authors: Franklin Jayaseelan Benjamin , Apte Deepak Arun
Published: April 2021

This study documents new distribution records of three species of the family Conidae in the Andaman Islands: Conus augur [Lightfoot], 1786, C. sponsalis Hwass in Bruguière, 1792, and C. varius Linnaeus, 1758.  The latter two records are first reports for India.
Diversity of freshwater molluscs from the upper Brahmaputra Basin, Assam, India
Authors: Sonowal Jyotish , Puzari Munmi , Kardong Devid
Published: April 2021

A field survey was conducted for three consecutive years, 2015–17 to assess the diversity of freshwater molluscs (Gastropoda and Bivalvia) of the upper Brahmaputra Basin in Assam, India.  Altogether, 18 gastropods and 27 bivalve species representing nine families were recorded from 17 sampling stations comprising small to large tributaries and wetlands in the flood-plains covering a total geographical area of approximately 3,500km2.  A large fraction (15.55%) of the collected mollusc species are new records from the upper Brahmaputra Basin of Assam.  Rarity in the occurrence of freshwater mollusc was confirmed with singleton and doubleton species accounting for 6.66% and unique species accounting for 35.55% of the total species recorded.  It was observed that most of the mollusc species of the upper Brahmaputra Basin are either in the ‘Least Concern’ or ‘Data Deficient’ category of the IUCN Red List; except for Lymnaea ovalior (Annandale & Prashad, 1921) and Sphaerium austeni Prashad, 1921 assessed as ‘Vulnerable’ and ‘Near Threatened’, respectively.  A significant trend in the diversity in terms of species richness and composition was observed across the sampling stations of the northern basin and southern basin of the river Brahmaputra.
Abnormal Cardiac Repolarization After Seizure Episodes in Structural Brain Diseases: Cardiac Manifestation of Electrical Remodeling in the Brain?
Authors: Mori Shusuke , Hori Atsushi , Turker Isik , Inaji Motoki , Bello‐Pardo Erika , Miida Takashi , Otomo Yasuhiro , Ai Tomohiko
Published: April 2021

Background

Abnormal cardiac repolarization is observed in patients with epilepsy and can be associated with sudden death. We investigated whether structural brain abnormalities are correlated with abnormal cardiac repolarizations in patients with seizure or epilepsy.

Methods and Results

We retrospectively analyzed and compared 12‐lead ECG parameters following seizures between patients with and without structural brain abnormalities. A total of 96 patients were included: 33 women (17 with and 16 without brain abnormality) and 63 men (44 with and 19 without brain abnormality). Brain abnormalities included past stroke, chronic hematoma, remote bleeding, tumor, trauma, and postsurgical state. ECG parameters were comparable for heart rate, PR interval, and QRS duration between groups. In contrast, corrected QT intervals evaluated by Fridericia, Framingham, and Bazett formulas were prolonged in patients with brain abnormality compared with those without (women: Fridericia [normal versus abnormal], 397.4±32.7 versus 470.9±48.9;
P
=0.002; Framingham, 351.0±40.1 versus 406.2±46.1;
P
=0.002; Bazett, 423.8±38.3 versus 507.7±56.6;
P
<0.0001; men: Fridericia, 403.8±30.4 versus 471.0±47.1;
P
<0.0001; Framingham, 342.7±36.4 versus 409.4±45.8;
P
<0.0001; Bazett, 439.3±38.6 versus 506.2±56.8;
P
<0.0001). QT dispersion and T
peak
−T
end
intervals were comparable between groups. We also observed abnormal ST‐segment elevation in 5 patients. Importantly, no patients showed fatal arrhythmias during or after seizures.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrated that brain abnormalities can be associated with abnormal cardiac repolarization after seizures, which might be a manifestation of electrophysiological remodeling in the brain.
The Hazards Posed by Mesoscale Lightning Megaflashes
Authors: Peterson Michael , Stano Geoffrey
Published: April 2021

Lightning megaflashes extending over >100-km distances have been observed by the Geostationary Lightning Mappers (GLMs) on NOAA’s R-series Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES). The hazards posed by megaflashes are unclear, however, because of limitations in the GLM data. We address these by reprocessing GOES-16 GLM measurements from 1 January 2018 to 15 January 2020 and integrating them with Earth Networks Global Lightning Network (ENGLN) observations. ENGLN verified 194 880 GLM megaflashes as natural lightning. Of these, 127 479 flashes occurred following the October 2018 GLM software update that standardized GLM timing. Reprocessed GLM/ENGLN lightning maps from these postupdate cases provide a comprehensive view of how individual megaflashes evolve. This megaflash dataset is used to generate statistics that describe their hazards. The average megaflash produces 5–7 cloud-to-ground (CG) strokes that are spread across 40%–50% of the flash extent. As flash extent increases beyond 100 km, megaflashes become concentrated in key hot-spot regions in North and South America while the number of CG and intracloud events per flash and the overall peak current increase. CGs in the larger megaflashes occur over 80% of the flash extent measured by GLM, and the majority contain regions where the megaflash is the only lightning activity in the preceding hour. These statistics demonstrate that there is no safe location below an electrified cloud that is producing megaflashes, and current lightning safety guidance is not always sufficient to mitigate megaflash hazards.
How Managerial Openness to Voice Shapes Internal Attraction: Evidence from United States School Systems
Authors: McCarthy John E. , Keller JR
Published: April 2021

In this study, the authors explore a heretofore unappreciated benefit of managerial openness to employee voice: internal attraction. Previous work has shown that managers who are more open to listening to employees receive valuable information and their units have higher relative retention levels. The authors explain and empirically demonstrate that managers who are more open to employee voice also more effectively attract workers from other units in their organizations. They describe how and why managerial openness to voice likely shapes the information that employees in a focal organizational unit (“employee insiders”) share with employees in other units (“employee outsiders”). They find that units with managers who are perceived as more open to voice are viewed as more attractive places to work. Conducting two field studies in separate US school districts, the authors find that managerial openness to voice positively predicts a work unit’s attractiveness among employees who work in other areas of the organization. They discuss the implications of their findings for organizations in general and school districts specifically.
Hot Girls Wanted and the Ethics of Critiquing Agency in Amateur Porn
Authors: Gupta Nisha , Greene Eric
Published: April 2021

In this edited interview, psychologists Nisha Gupta and Eric Greene have a conversation with filmmakers Jill Bauer and Ronna Gradus about their documentary film Hot Girls Wanted (2015), which is a first-ever look at the realities of the professional amateur porn world and the 18- to 19-year old young women entering into it. This dialogue explores the relationships they developed with the young women they filmed, the ethical questions that arose when pursuing this kind of project, and the challenge in holding the tension between young women’s agency who engage in porn versus the social critique surrounding the amateur porn industry. Ronna and Jill have since gone on to produce the six-part Netflix documentary series: Hot Girls Wanted: Turned On, which explores these questions further.
The Editor’s Note: The ambiguity of extra
Authors: Heller Rafael
Published: April 2021

Most people understand that extracurricular activities operate under different rules than students’ regular classes. What’s less clear is why certain activities are considered extracurricular. One argument is that the regular curriculum is for the more important content, while extracurricular programs are less important. But Rafael Heller suggests that the question of importance is not so clear. If extracurricular activities help students with social-emotional skills, creativity, teamwork, and other essential educational goals, perhaps they are not so extra after all.