bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Urban social assistance: Evidence, challenges and the way forward, with application to Ghana
Authors: Cuesta Jose , Devereux Stephen , Abdulai Abdul‐Gafaru , Gupte Jaideep , Ragno Luigi Peter , Roelen Keetie , Sabates‐Wheeler Rachel , Spadafora Tayllor
Published: June 2020

Motivation

Urban areas are growing as is urban poverty, yet few countries have developed comprehensive programmes for social assistance in urban areas. Those programmes that exist, moreover, are often extensions or duplicates of rural schemes. Urban social protection needs to reflect the distinct characteristics and vulnerabilities of the urban poor, especially that they usually work in informal activities and they face higher living costs than rural dwellers.

Purpose

This article addresses two questions: what is the current evidence on effective social assistance programmes in urban areas? How can such programmes be designed and implemented in practice? The article surveys the challenges of designing social assistance programmes in urban areas, focusing on specific urban vulnerabilities, targeting the urban poor, and setting appropriate payments.

Approach and methods

Existing evidence on programmes for urban social assistance, including cases from seven countries, are reviewed. Issues are examined in detail for Ghana, a rapidly urbanizing country.

Findings

Ghana’s flagship social assistance programme, Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP), that operates largely in rural areas, can and should be adjusted to urban areas. Registration by using community leaders is less effective in urban than rural areas. Instead, advertising, (social) media, direct text messaging, and identification through local non‐governmental organizations (NGOs) would be better options. Targeting can be improved by developing an urban‐specific proxy means test. Cash benefits should be increased, then adjusted regularly to counter inflation. These benefits should possibly be accompanied by subsidies for utilities and services.

Policy implications

Several principles to consider when designing urban social assistance emerge. Benefit levels should reflect higher living costs in urban areas and respond to inflation, especially for food and other necessities. Urban social assistance should go beyond cash transfers to focus on generating jobs (especially for young people and women), and to ensure basic services such as health care reach the urban poor, through subsidies, vouchers, or case management. Urban contexts also offer more opportunities to deliver and target social assistance through digital technologies such as mobile phones and automatic teller machines (ATM).
Left atrial appendage aneurysm in pediatrics
Authors: Zhang Xin , Li Pei , Cao Yongli , Li Xiaofeng , Duan Xiaomin , Bai Song , Wang Fangyun
Published: June 2020

Left atrial appendage aneurysm (LAAA) is a rare cardiac anomaly with potentially life‐threatening complications of atrial tachyarrhythmias and systemic thromboembolism. It is often diagnosed incidentally and rarely during childhood. Echocardiography is considered the primary method of LAAA diagnosis; in particular, the subxiphoid view is more useful in pediatrics. Surgical intervention and drug management are recommended to prevent potentially lethal complications. Herein, we report five cases of patients with LAAA during infancy and childhood, caused by both congenital and acquired conditions. One patient underwent surgical resection through left lateral thoracotomy without cardiopulmonary bypass and another patient underwent drug management.
Obstructive coronary artery disease with a coronary artery calcium score of 0: A case report
Authors: German Charles A. , Nicolazzi DO Joseph T. , Gjini BS Petro , Mehta Vivek , Stacey Richard Brandon
Published: June 2020

Coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring has emerged as a useful tool in identifying patients who may benefit from more aggressive risk factor modification and for prognostication. Although a CAC score of 0 is associated with a very low prevalence of obstructive epicardial coronary artery disease and low event rates, it can also provide a false sense of reassurance. We present a case of a 39‐year‐old woman with a CAC score of 0 obtained as part of a coronary computerized tomography angiography study that was ultimately found to have significant left anterior descending artery disease requiring percutaneous coronary intervention and a stent.
Ticagrelor and prasugrel are independent predictors of improved long‐term survival in ACS patients
Authors: Gager Gloria M. , Jilma Bernd , Winter Max‐Paul , Hengstenberg Christian , Lang Irene M. , Toma Aurel , Prüller Florian , Wallner Markus , Kolesnik Ewald , von Lewinski Dirk , Siller‐Matula Jolanta M.
Published: June 2020

Aim

To investigate the long‐term clinical benefit of dual antiplatelet therapy with potent P2Y12 inhibitors compared to clopidogrel in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Methods

In this prospective multicenter observational study, we enrolled 708 patients with ACS treated with clopidogrel (n = 137), ticagrelor (n = 260) or prasugrel (n = 311). Major adverse cardiac events (MACE; over 1 year) and long‐term mortality (median: 5.6 years; interquartile range [IQR] 4.9‐6.5 years) were assessed. Multiple electrode aggregometry (MEA) was used to measure adenosine diphosphate (ADP)‐ and arachidonic acid (AA)‐induced platelet aggregation.

Results

Type of P2Y12 inhibitor emerged as an independent predictor of long‐term mortality and MACE: patients treated with potent platelet inhibitors prasugrel or ticagrelor were at lower risk for long‐term mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 0.44; 95% CI: 0.22‐0.92; P = .028) or MACE (adjusted HR = 0.38; 95% CI: 0.20‐0.73; P = .004) than those treated with clopidogrel independent from clinical risk factors. In contrast, the efficacy of clopidogrel decreased with increasing severity of ACS: platelet aggregation was 37% higher in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and 25% higher in patients with non‐ST elevation myocardial infarction (non‐STEMI) compared to patients with unstable angina (P = .039). Patients with diabetes achieved less potent ADP‐ and AA‐induced platelet inhibition under clopidogrel, compared to patients without diabetes (P = .045; P = .030, respectively).

Conclusion

In the setting of ACS, treatment with ticagrelor or prasugrel reduced long‐term mortality and 1‐year MACE as compared to clopidogrel.
DOES THE WOMEN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN PROGRAM IMPROVE INFANT HEALTH OUTCOMES?
Authors: Kreider Brent , Pepper John V. , Roy Manan
Published: June 2020

We reevaluate the causal impacts of prenatal participation in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) supplemental nutrition program on birth outcomes by simultaneously accounting for self‐selection into WIC and systematic underreporting of program participation. Combining survey data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study‐Birth Cohort with administrative data from the USDA, we extend partial identification methods to reflect institutional details of the WIC program and validate WIC program participation for a mixture of positive and negative responses. Our preferred estimates imply that WIC increases the prevalence of normal birth weight by at least 4.8% and normal gestation duration by at least 3.7%. (JEL C14, C21, I12, I31, I38)
Spatial partitioning of perching on plants by tropical dung beetles depends on body size and leaf characteristics: a sit‐and‐wait strategy for food location
Authors: Noriega Jorge Ari , March‐Salas Martí , Pertierra Luis R. , Vulinec Kevina
Published: June 2020

1. Many animals invest a great amount of time and energy foraging. However, the sit‐and‐wait strategy is a common behaviour, which reduces the cost of moving by using perches. In the case of dung beetles, individuals of many species use leaves as perches. The factors for the selection of these perches are still unknown, but one hypothesis proposes that plant features may be key, creating an ecological animal–plant network.

2. We identified dung beetles and plant species in a tropical rain forest and measured the height and area of the leaves, and the body length for each species. We fitted linear regression models to test the relationship between the height and area of the leaf and a beetle's body size. We also analysed the number of perching interactions through a bipartite analysis to quantify the network modularity.

3. We collected 369 dung beetles of 21 species that were perching on 32 plant species. There were significant differences in the selection of perches related to dung beetle body size and functional group. Larger beetle species selected higher and larger leaves, whereas telecoprids perched on higher leaves than paracoprids.

4. Our findings show a distinct network of beetle‐plant relationships with clear preferences by some dung beetles for particular plant species. The findings also suggest that the processes driving network structure lead to spatial segregation of dung beetle species. In conclusion, sit‐and‐wait behaviour is a common and apparently effective strategy for foraging, and reduces competition in dung beetles in tropical rain forests.
After the storm, Solar comes out: A new service model for children and adolescent mental health
Authors: Vusio Frane , Thompson Andrew , Laughton Liam , Birchwood Max
Published: June 2020

Aim

Existing children and adolescent mental health services in the United Kingdom have many gaps, such as reduced access to community‐based services, and a lack of early intervention, prevention, and 24/7 crisis care. These gaps prevent timely access to appropriate levels of care, decrease children and young people's engagement with providers, and lead to increased pressures on urgent and emergency care. In this paper, we outline a newly created 0‐19 model and its crisis service, which have been transformed into a fully integrated, “joint partnership” service, in line with the recommendations from the recent UK policies that aim to meet the aforementioned challenges.

Method

The “Solar” service is described as a case study of a 0‐19 service model. We cover the national and local contexts of the service, in addition to its rationale, aims, organizational structure, strengths and limitations.

Results

The presented model is a fully integrated and innovative example of a service model that operates without tiers, and helps to create an inclusive, compassionate, stigma‐free and youth‐friendly environment. Additionally, the model aims to prioritize recovery, early intervention, prevention and the development of resilience.

Conclusion

The 0‐19 model is a result of the recent transformation of children and youth mental health services in the United Kingdom. The ongoing evaluation of the 0‐19 model and its crisis component will investigate the model's effectiveness, accessibility and acceptability, as well as understanding the potential of the model to contribute towards solving numerous gaps in the existing mental health service provision within the United Kingdom.
Physical properties of a sandy soil as affected by incubation with a synthetic root exudate: Strength, thermal and hydraulic conductivity, and evaporation
Authors: Zhang Wencan , Gao Weida , Whalley William Richard , Ren Tusheng
Published: June 2020

Plant roots release various organic materials that may modify soil structure and affect heat and mass transfer processes. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of a synthetic root exudate (SRE) on penetrometer resistance (PR), thermal conductivity (λ), hydraulic conductivity (k) and evaporation of water in a sandy soil. Soil samples, mixed with either distilled water or the SRE, were packed into columns at a designated bulk density and water content, and incubated for 7 days at 18°C. Soil PR, λ, k and evaporation rate were monitored during drying processes. Compared with those incubated with water, samples incubated with SRE had visible hyphae, greater PR (0.7–5.5 MPa in the water content range of 0.11 to 0.22 m3 m−3) and λ (0.2–0.7 W m−1 K−1 from 0.05 to 0.22 m3 m−3), and increased k in the wet region but decreased k in the dry region. SRE treatment also reduced the overall soil water evaporation rate and cumulative water loss. Analysis of X‐ray computed tomography (CT) scanning showed that the SRE‐treated samples had a greater proportion of small pores (<60 μm). These changes were attributed mainly to SRE‐stimulated microbial activities.

Highlights

The effects of incubating a sandy soil with a synthetic root exudate (SRE) on soil physical properties and evaporation are examined.

SRE incubation increased the fraction of small pores.

SRE incubation increased soil penetrometer resistance and thermal conductivity.

Soil hydraulic conductivity was increased in the wet region but was reduced in the dry region.

SRE incubation reduced the overall evaporation rate and cumulative water loss.
Strong population differentiation in lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus) is driven by a small portion of the genome
Authors: Longo Gary C. , Lam Laurel , Basnett Bonnie , Samhouri Jameal , Hamilton Scott , Andrews Kelly , Williams Greg , Goetz Giles , McClure Michelle , Nichols Krista M.
Published: June 2020

Delimiting intraspecific genetic variation in harvested species is crucial to the assessment of population status for natural resource management and conservation purposes. Here, we evaluated genetic population structure in lingcod (Ophiodon elongatus), a commercially and recreationally important fishery species along the west coast of North America. We used 16,749 restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing (RADseq) markers, in 611 individuals collected from across the bulk of the species range from Southeast Alaska to Baja California, Mexico. In contrast to previous population genetic work on this species, we found strong evidence for two distinct genetic clusters. These groups separated latitudinally with a break near Point Reyes off Northern California, and there was a high frequency of admixed individuals in close proximity to the break. F‐statistics corroborate this genetic break between northern and southern sampling sites, although most loci are characterized by low FST values, suggesting high gene flow throughout most of the genome. Outlier analyses identified 182 loci putatively under divergent selection, most of which mapped to a single genomic region. When individuals were grouped by cluster assignment (northern, southern, and admixed), 71 loci were fixed between the northern and southern cluster, all of which were identified in the outlier scans. All individuals identified as admixed exhibited near 50:50 assignment to northern and southern clusters and were heterozygous for most fixed loci. Alignments of RADseq loci to a draft lingcod genome assembly and three other teleost genomes with chromosome‐level assemblies suggest that outlier and fixed loci are concentrated on a single chromosome. Similar genomic patterns have been attributed to chromosomal inversions in diverse taxonomic groups. Regardless of the evolutionary mechanism, these results represent novel observations of genetic structure in lingcod and designate clear evolutionary units that could be used to inform fisheries management.
Know your enemy: Unexpected, pervasive and persistent viral and bacterial contamination of primary cell cultures
Authors: Niehues Hanna , Jansen Patrick A. M. , Rodijk‐Olthuis Diana , Rikken Gijs , Smits Jos P. H. , Schalkwijk Joost , Zeeuwen Patrick L. J. M. , van den Bogaard Ellen H. J.
Published: June 2020

In biomedical research, cell culture contamination is one of the main culprits of experimental failure. Contamination sources and concomitant remedies are numerous and challenging to manage. We herein describe two cases of uncommon contamination of cell cultures that we encountered, and the successful determination and eradication strategies. The first case describes the infection with human adenovirus C that originated from pharyngeal tonsils used for isolation of primary tonsillar epithelial cells. It is known that viral contamination of in vitro cell cultures can occur symptomless and is therefore difficult to identify. The contamination was pervasive and persistent, as it was widely spread in flow cabinets and apparatus, and has caused a serious delay to our research projects and the inevitable loss of valuable (patient‐derived) cell sources. Eradication was successful by formalin gas sterilization of the flow cabinet and elimination of all infected cell lines from our biobank after PCR‐guided determination. Secondly, we encountered a spore‐forming bacterium, namely Brevibacillus brevis, in our cell culture facility. This bacterium originated from contaminated tap water pipes and spread via regular aseptic culture techniques due to survival of the bacterial spores in 70% ethanol. B brevis overgrew the cultures within a few days after seeding of the primary cells. Chlorine solution effectively killed this spore‐forming bacterium. Both cases of contamination were identified using DNA sequencing which enabled the deployment of targeted aseptic techniques for the elimination of the persistent contamination.
Partnership and Insomnia Status Among Mothers
Authors: Kissling Alexandra
Published: June 2020

Objective

Mothers are particularly vulnerable to sleep disorders, such as insomnia (i.e., poor sleep quality more than three times per week).

Background

Partnership status (i.e., being married, formerly partnered, cohabiting, or lone) is predictive of other health outcomes via marital selection, protection, and crisis theories. However, research has yet to address whether mothers' risk of insomnia varies by their partnership status.

Method

Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979, a nationally representative and longitudinal cohort study (n = 1721), the primary aim of the present study is to test the association between partnership status and sleep. Further, given the association between race–ethnicity and partnership status, as well as race–ethnicity and sleep, this study also considers whether the association between mothers' partnership status and risk of insomnia varies by race and ethnicity.

Results

Logistic regression results suggest that married mothers are less likely than cohabiting and formerly partnered mothers to experience insomnia. No sleep differences were found when comparing among the unmarried groups.

Conclusion

When considering race and ethnicity, marriage is protective against insomnia among White and Hispanic mothers but not Black mothers.

Implications

This study illustrates one way in which partnership status contributes to sleep problems in different ways for White, Black, and Hispanic women.
Increasing picocyanobacteria success in shelf waters contributes to long‐term food web degradation
Authors: Schmidt Katrin , Birchill Antony J. , Atkinson Angus , Brewin Robert J. W. , Clark James R. , Hickman Anna E. , Johns David G. , Lohan Maeve C. , Milne Angela , Pardo Silvia , Polimene Luca , Smyth Tim J. , Tarran Glen A. , Widdicombe Claire E. , Woodward E. Malcolm S. , Ussher Simon J.
Published: June 2020

Continental margins are disproportionally important for global primary production, fisheries and CO2 uptake. However, across the Northeast Atlantic shelves, there has been an ongoing summertime decline of key biota—large diatoms, dinoflagellates and copepods—that traditionally fuel higher tropic levels such as fish, sea birds and marine mammals. Here, we combine multiple time series with in situ process studies to link these declines to summer nutrient stress and increasing proportions of picophytoplankton that can comprise up to 90% of the combined pico‐ and nanophytoplankton biomass in coastal areas. Among the pico‐fraction, it is the cyanobacterium Synechococcus that flourishes when iron and nitrogen resupply to surface waters are diminished. Our field data show how traits beyond small size give Synechococcus a competitive edge over pico‐ and nanoeukaryotes. Key is their ability to grow at low irradiances near the nutricline, which is aided by their superior light‐harvesting system and high affinity to iron. However, minute size and lack of essential biomolecules (e.g. omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and sterols) render Synechococcus poor primary producers to sustain shelf sea food webs efficiently. The combination of earlier spring blooms and lower summer food quantity and quality creates an increasing period of suboptimal feeding conditions for zooplankton at a time of year when their metabolic demand is highest. We suggest that this nutrition‐related mismatch has contributed to the widespread, ~50% decline in summer copepod abundance we observe over the last 60 years. With Synechococcus clades being prominent from the tropics to the Arctic and their abundances increasing worldwide, our study informs projections of future food web dynamics in coastal and shelf areas where droughts and stratification lead to increasing nutrient starvation of surface waters.
Permafrost nitrogen status and its determinants on the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Mao Chao , Kou Dan , Chen Leiyi , Qin Shuqi , Zhang Dianye , Peng Yunfeng , Yang Yuanhe
Published: June 2020

It had been suggested that permafrost thaw could promote frozen nitrogen (N) release and modify microbial N transformation rates, which might alter soil N availability and then regulate ecosystem functions. However, the current understanding of this issue is confined to limited observations in the Arctic permafrost region, without any systematic measurements in other permafrost regions. Based on a large‐scale field investigation along a 1,000 km transect and a laboratory incubation experiment with a 15N pool dilution approach, this study provides the comprehensive evaluation of the permafrost N status, including the available N content and related N transformation rates, across the Tibetan alpine permafrost region. In contrast to the prevailing view, our results showed that the Tibetan alpine permafrost had lower available N content and net N mineralization rate than the active layer. Moreover, the permafrost had lower gross rates of N mineralization, microbial immobilization and nitrification than the active layer. Our results also revealed that the dominant drivers of the gross N mineralization and microbial immobilization rates differed between the permafrost and the active layer, with these rates being determined by microbial properties in the permafrost while regulated by soil moisture in the active layer. In contrast, soil gross nitrification rate was consistently modulated by the soil

content in both the permafrost and the active layer. Overall, patterns and drivers of permafrost N pools and transformation rates observed in this study offer new insights into the potential N release upon permafrost thaw and provide important clues for Earth system models to better predict permafrost biogeochemical cycles under a warming climate.
Elevated temperature increases the accumulation of microbial necromass nitrogen in soil via increasing microbial turnover
Authors: Wang Xu , Wang Chao , Cotrufo M. Francesca , Sun Lifei , Jiang Ping , Liu Ziping , Bai Edith
Published: June 2020

Microbial‐derived nitrogen (N) is now recognized as an important source of soil organic N. However, the mechanisms that govern the production of microbial necromass N, its turnover, and stabilization in soil remain poorly understood. To assess the effects of elevated temperature on bacterial and fungal necromass N production, turnover, and stabilization, we incubated 15N‐labeled bacterial and fungal necromass under optimum moisture conditions at 10°C, 15°C, and 25°C. We developed a new 15N tracing model to calculate the production and mineralization rates of necromass N. Our results showed that bacterial and fungal necromass N had similar mineralization rates, despite their contrasting chemistry. Most bacterial and fungal necromass 15N was recovered in the mineral‐associated organic matter fraction through microbial anabolism, suggesting that mineral association plays an important role in stabilizing necromass N in soil, independently of necromass chemistry. Elevated temperature significantly increased the accumulation of necromass N in soil, due to the relatively higher microbial turnover and production of necromass N with increasing temperature than the increases in microbial necromass N mineralization. In conclusion, we found elevated temperature may increase the contribution of microbial necromass N to mineral‐stabilized soil organic N.
Application of Four Measurement Techniques to Understand Natural Source Zone Depletion Processes at an LNAPL Site
Authors: Kulkarni Poonam R. , Newell Charles J. , King David C. , Molofsky Lisa J. , Garg Sanjay
Published: June 2020

There are several key data gaps in our understanding of Natural Source Zone Depletion (NSZD) processes at sites impacted by light nonaqueous phase liquid (LNAPL), and quantifying NSZD rates can be challenging due to the inherent differences in measurement methods. In this study, four different NSZD measurement methods (oxygen influx measured by the Gradient Method, long‐term carbon dioxide efflux measured with Carbon Traps, instantaneous carbon dioxide efflux measured with Dynamic Closed Chambers (DCC LI‐COR), and the long‐term heat flux from biodegradation measured by Thermal NSZD monitoring), as well as LNAPL composition and dissolved gas sampling, were applied at a site in Southern California. These techniques were used to evaluate key questions such as: (1) how do different NSZD rate measurement methods compare, and what causes variability in NSZD results?; (2) to what extent NSZD processes are occurring in LNAPL within the saturated zone?; and (3) how is NSZD related to LNAPL composition change over time? Carbon Traps and Thermal NSZD monitoring measurement methods provided the most consistent NSZD data at this geologically heterogeneous site, with two location average NSZD rates of 540 and 480 gal/acre/year, respectively. Overall, comparisons of NSZD rates between methods were challenging due to different measurement timeframes, significant temporal and spatial heterogeneity, and operational challenges with two of the NSZD methods. Finally, samples of subsurface LNAPL were collected for analysis in 2007 and 2016; results indicated that diesel‐range constituents were already very degraded and anaerobic degradation of gasoline‐range constituents was ongoing. A LNAPL depletion model (Douglas et al. 1996) applied to the measured LNAPL composition change appeared to greatly overestimate the amount of LNAPL depletion compared to the measured NSZD rate, but did provide an independent semiqualitative line of evidence that LNAPL was being depleted by active NSZD processes at the site.
Epstein–Barr virus‐positive inflammatory follicular dendritic cell sarcoma presenting as a solitary colonic mass: two rare cases and a literature review
Authors: Ke Xiaokang , He Huihua , Zhang Qingping , Yuan Jingping , Ao Qilin
Published: June 2020

Aims

Follicular dendritic cell (FDC) sarcoma is a rare neoplasm originating from follicular dendritic cells in germinal centres. It is classified as conventional and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)‐positive inflammatory FDC sarcoma according to the 2019 World Health Organization classification of digestive system tumours; the latter is rarer. So in view of the rarity and difficulty in diagnosis, the aim of the manuscript is to share our experience of diagnosing EBV‐positive inflammatory FDC sarcoma.

Methods and results

Here, we describe the clinicopathological features, gross description, histomorphology, immunophenotype, EBV‐encoded mRNA (EBER) in‐situ hybridisation, gene rearrangement and clinical follow‐up of two patients with EBV‐positive inflammatory FDC sarcoma in the colon, and review the relevant literature. The tumours were found in two males, aged 53 and 48 years, respectively, with a tumour diameter between 10 and 45 mm. Both cases occurred in the colon and presented as pedunculated colonic masses. Microscopically, scanty atypical ovoid to spindle neoplastic cells were mixed in a background of florid lymphoplasmacytic infiltration. The nuclei of these atypical cells showed vesicular chromatin and small, distinct nucleoli. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that the atypical stromal cells were positive for CD21, CD23, CD35, and D2‐40. EBER in‐situ hybridisation also gave positive results in two cases. There was a mean follow‐up of 9 months (range, 7–11 months).

Conclusion

EBV‐positive inflammatory FDC sarcoma is an extremely rare tumour with a distinct morphology and phenotype. Therefore, it is very important to recognise it particularly for correct diagnosis and prevention of misdiagnosis and mistreatment.
Synovial chondrosarcoma: a single‐institution experience with molecular investigations and review of the literature
Authors: Gambarotti Marco , Pacheco Marina , Ruengwanichayakun Poosit , Silvino Vega Jiménez Brayan , Benini Stefania , Bianchi Giuseppe , Sbaraglia Marta , Vanel Daniel , Carretta Elisa , Bertoni Franco , Franchi Alessandro , Dei Tos Angelo P , Righi Alberto
Published: June 2020

Aims

To evaluate the available diagnostic histological criteria for synovial chondrosarcoma and to screen for the presence of IDH1/IDH2 mutations in a series of cases of this malignant cartilaginous neoplasm.

Methods and results

Ten cases of synovial chondrosarcoma diagnosed at our institute were reviewed. At presentation, all tumours occurred in adults (median age, 62 years). The most common location was the knee joint (five cases), and the size at diagnosis ranged from 30 mm to 170 mm. Eight patients had secondary synovial chondrosarcomas associated with pre‐existing/recurrent or concomitant synovial chondromatosis. Five patients had local recurrences and three had lung metastases. All patients with intralesional excisions developed local recurrences, whereas those who underwent wide resections did not. At last follow‐up (mean, 91 months), available for nine patients, seven patients were alive and disease‐free, one patient had died of disease, and one was alive with paravertebral metastases. Frequent histological features observed included loss of clustering of chondrocytes (nine cases), the presence of variable amounts of myxoid matrix (eight cases), peripheral hypercellularity (eight cases), tumour necrosis (six cases), and spindling of chondrocytes (four cases). Of the seven cases for which it was possible to evaluate bone permeation, six showed infiltration of bone marrow. All seven cases screened for mutations of exon 4 of IDH1 and IDH2 were found to be wild‐type.

Conclusions

Histological criteria in correlation with clinical and radiological features allow the recognition of synovial chondrosarcoma. IDH1/IDH2 mutations were not present in synovial chondrosarcoma. Adequate surgical margins are important for disease control.
Promising effect of intravenous immunoglobulin therapy for epidermolysis bullosa pruriginosa
Authors: Ertop Pelin , Vural Secil , Gökpınar Ili Ezgi , Durmaz Ceren D. , Heper Aylin O. , McGrath John A. , Ilgın Ruhi H. , Boyvat Ayse
Published: June 2020

Background

Epidermolysis bullosa pruriginosa (EBP) is rare a clinical variant of dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa characterized by trauma‐induced bullae formation, milia and nail dystrophy accompanied by severe pruritus. Treatment pruritus of EBP focuses on immunosuppressive treatment with limited efficacy. Treatment strategies are not well‐established.

Aim

To provide the genetic characterization of a multi‐generational EBP family and discuss the efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin treatment in EBP.

Materials & methods

The clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with EBP in three consecutive generations were determined. The mutation is analyzed in the index patient's genomic DNA by Sanger sequencing, and this mutation was confirmed in other affected members of the family. Index case with severe phenotype was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG).

Results

A heterozygous single nucleotide transition, c.6127G>A, in exon 73 of COL7A1 was identified in all affected members. Physical examination of patients revealed lichenoid papules on extensor surfaces of extremities, excoriations, milia formation and nail dystrophy. Majority of patients had elevated serum IgE levels (%86 (6/7)) without a medical history for atopy. Female patients had generalized involvement and severe phenotype. The skin lesions of the index case were refractory to high dose systemic steroids and cyclosporine treatment. Lesions improved significantly with intravenous immunoglobulin therapy.

Conclusion

In severe cases, unresponsive to other therapies, IVIG may be a preferable therapeutic approach to modulate the inflammatory response in patients with EBP.
Clinical and histological characteristics, and management of melanoma in French Guiana, 2007–2018
Authors: Broly Marine , Drak Alsibai Kinan , Cenciu Beatrice , Guevara Hemerson , Fayette Jerome , Neidhardt Eve‐Marie , Demar Magalie , Couppie Pierre , Blaizot Romain
Published: June 2020

There are few studies available on melanoma in Afro‐Caribbean and Amerindian populations of South America. French Guiana deserves a study due to its specific health system and diversity of phototypes. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the incidence, histological and clinical characteristics of melanoma in French Guiana. A retrospective study was conducted from October 2007 to January 2018 on all primary melanomas observed at the Cayenne Hospital Centre. Thirty‐nine patients were included. The incidence rate (1.61/106 inhabitants/year) was low compared with mainland France. Median age was 58, and gender ratio 1 : 16. Clear phototype (I/II) patients were the most frequent (38.5%), but a significant amount of melanoma also occurred in darker skin. Median Breslow was higher in dark phototypes than in fair‐skinned patients. Superficial spreading melanoma (SSM) was the most common histological type (33.3%), particularly in patients with clear phototype (61.5%). Acral lentiginous melanoma was found only in darker‐skinned patients (29.1%). The trunk was involved in 66.6% in the clearest group whereas foot was the most common location in the darkest group (60% in V/VI phototypes). Surgery was the most frequently used treatment (79.5%). At the end of the study period, 53.8% had been lost to follow‐up. In conclusion, the incidence of melanoma in French Guiana is lower than in mainland France but remains a public health concern, as dark‐skinned populations often present with advanced diseases. Awareness and prevention in these communities must be improved.
Landscape of variable domain of heavy‐chain‐only antibody repertoire from alpaca
Authors: Tu Zhui , Huang Xiaoqiang , Fu Jinheng , Hu Na , Zheng Wei , Li Yanping , Zhang Yang
Published: June 2020

Heavy‐chain‐only antibodies (HCAbs), which are devoid of light chains, have been found naturally occurring in various species including camelids and cartilaginous fish. Because of their high thermostability, refoldability and capacity for cell permeation, the variable regions of the heavy chain of HCAbs (VHHs) have been widely used in diagnosis, bio‐imaging, food safety and therapeutics. Most immunogenetic and functional studies of HCAbs are based on case studies or a limited number of low‐throughput sequencing data. A complete picture derived from more abundant high‐throughput sequencing (HTS) data can help us gain deeper insights. We cloned and sequenced the full‐length coding region of VHHs in Alpaca (Vicugna pacos) via HTS in this study. A new pipeline was developed to conduct an in‐depth analysis of the HCAb repertoires. Various critical features, including the length distribution of complementarity‐determining region 3 (CDR3), V(D)J usage, VJ pairing, germline‐specific mutation rate and germline‐specific scoring profiles (GSSPs), were systematically characterized. The quantitative data show that V(D)J usage and VHH recombination are highly biased. Interestingly, we found that the average CDR3 length of classical VHHs is longer than that of non‐classical ones, whereas the mutation rates are similar in both kinds of VHHs. Finally, GSSPs were built to quantitatively describe and compare sequences that originate from each VJ pair. Overall, this study presents a comprehensive landscape of the HCAb repertoire, which can provide useful guidance for the modeling of somatic hypermutation and the design of novel functional VHHs or VHH repertoires via evolutionary profiles.
Crack initiation, propagation, and arrest in sintering powder aggregates
Authors: Carazzone Joseph R. , Martin Christophe L. , Cordero Zachary C.
Published: June 2020

Cracking during sintering is a common problem in powder processing and is usually caused by constraint that prevents the sintering material from shrinking in one or more directions. Different factors influence sintering‐induced cracking, including temperature schedule, packing density, and specimen geometry. Here we use the discrete element method to directly observe the stress distribution and sinter‐cracking behavior in edge notched panels sintered under a uniaxial restraint. This geometry allows an easy comparison with traditional fracture mechanics parameters, facilitating analysis of sinter‐cracking behavior. We find that cracking caused by self‐stress during sintering resembles the growth of creep cracks in fully dense materials. By deriving the constrained densification rate from the appropriate constitutive equations, we discover that linear shrinkage transverse to the loading axis is accelerated by a contribution from the effective Poisson's ratio of a sintering solid. Simulation of different notch geometries and initial relative densities reveals conditions that favor densification and minimize crack growth, alluding to design methods for avoiding cracking in actual sintering processes. We combine the far‐field stress and crack length to compute the net section stress, finding that it characterizes the stress profile between the notches and correlates with the sinter‐crack growth rate, demonstrating its potential to quantitatively describe sinter‐cracking.
Optical properties of Er3+ and Yb3+/Er3+‐doped NaF‐Na2SO4‐Al(PO3)3 fluoro‐sulfo‐phosphate glasses
Authors: Ji Yao , Xiao Yongbao , Huang Shujing , Wang Weichao
Published: June 2020

Fluoro‐sulfo‐phosphate (FPS) glass is of current interest as potential material for laser application due to its good glass‐forming ability, thermal, and chemical stability as well as the complicated local environment for incorporated species. Herein, the physical and luminescent properties of Er3+ and Yb3+/Er3+‐doped FPS glasses vs S/F ratio are investigated comprehensively. The low melting temperature (750°C) leads to fewer ingredients evaporation and easier operation. The sulfate addition depolymerizes the structure of FPS glasses, leading to either monotonic or nonmonotonic variations of physical properties, while no deterioration in thermal and limited one in chemical stability is caused. The addition of sulfate also modifies the local structure around optical active species and thus, leading to higher emission cross section (1.52 × 10−20 cm2), effective linewidth (68.4 nm), figure of merit (5.61 × 10−23 s cm2), gain bandwidth (102.44 × 10−27 cm3), and energy‐transfer microparameters (51.87 × 10−39 cm6/s), implying high possibility to serve as 1.5 μm laser application.
Thermally grown oxide in water vapor on coated and uncoated SiC
Authors: Kowalski Benjamin , Harder Bryan
Published: June 2020

Coupons of Hexoloy®, CVD SiC, and SiO2 were thermally cycled in a flowing steam atmosphere of 90%/10% H2O/O2 at 1426°C in order to simulate the water vapor partial pressure of a turbine environment. The paralinear model for oxidation and volatilization is examined and a condensed version is provided that allows for extraction of the oxidation (kp) and volatilization (kl) rates from only a few measured data points across a small time window. Due to high Si(OH)4 (g) volatility rates, SiO2 scale thickness approached nearly invariant paralinear limiting values (~3‐6 μm) for all conditions, including cycle frequency or material. However, a disparity still exists between weight changes measured and the thickness of the resulting oxide as well as the contribution from the material properties to the oxidation and volatilization rates. Comparisons are made for the oxidation and volatilization rates, specific weight changes, and oxide thicknesses for a number of cycle times for both uncoated and environmental barrier coated SiC.
Ca2+/Sr2+/Ba2+ dependent phase separation, nanocrystallization and photoluminescence in fluoroaluminosilicate glass
Authors: Xu Xiuxia , Zhao Junjie , Chen Xiaotong , Xu Qian , Wang Ting , Yu Siu Fung , Xu Xuhui , Qiao Xvsheng , Du Jincheng , Fan Xianping , Qiu Jianbei , Qian Guodong
Published: June 2020

Fluoride phase separation is the initial stage of nanocrystallization in oxyfluoride glasses, and it is a key step in achieving transparent glass‐ceramics with good luminescence. In this work, we combine molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and experimental studies to investigate the phase separation, nanocrystallization and photoluminescence in fluoroaluminosilicate glass and glass‐ceramics containing alkali earth fluoride (MF2). The results reveal different phase separation behaviors due to the field strength difference of M2+. The composition and size similarity between the fluoride‐rich regions in the MD simulated glass and the fluoride nanocrystals in the experimental prepared glass‐ceramics are observed, suggesting that the separated fluoride phase is the structural origin of the observed MF2 nanocrystals. Besides, in order to understand the M2+ dependent glass structural features, the crystallization temperatures, the luminescent properties of Eu3+ and Eu2+ doped glass‐ceramics, and the lasing performance of Er3+ doped glass‐ceramics are discussed. Based on these comprehensions, some strategies are proposed to help to efficiently design oxyfluoride glass with desired luminescence performance.
Investigation of structural, optical, and magnetic properties of Nd‐doped Sr2SnO4 Ruddlesden Popper oxide
Authors: Kumar Upendra , Yadav Dharmendra , Upadhyay Shail
Published: June 2020

The samples of Sr2‐xNdxSnO4 with x = 0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, and 0.10 were synthesized by a high‐temperature solid‐state ceramic route. Rietveld refining of X‐ray diffraction results showed that all the synthesized compositions are single phase under tetragonal crystal structure. The presence of functional group and local structure has been studied using FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, respectively. XPS study of samples showed the presence of oxygen vacancy and interstitial oxygen in the sample. Optical band gap of samples analyzed by UV‐Vis spectra gradually increases with dopant concentration, and Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy study showed most intense emission around 1064 nm. Room‐temperature magnetic hysteresis curve in sample SSN2 showed ferromagnetism, slowly decreasing with Nd and becoming antiferromagnetic for higher compositions. Utilizing the absorption state observed in PL as metastable state makes it promising candidate for laser and IR detector application and the ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic nature of sample makes it suitable candidate for spintronics device applications.
Evaluation of the efficacy of low‐dose liraglutide in weight control among Taiwanese non‐diabetes patients
Authors: Chou Chien‐An , Chuang Shu‐Fen
Published: June 2020

Aims/Introduction

Obesity and metabolic syndrome are well‐known to be associated with multiple chronic diseases. Currently, high‐dose liraglutide has been used for weight control in non‐diabetic patients. Considering incretin‐based therapy is more effective in Asian populations, the effect of low‐dose liraglutide in weight control among these non‐diabetic groups has not been well evaluated. Our study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of low‐dose liraglutide in weight control among Taiwan patients.

Materials and Methods

From July 2017 to December 2018, 46 non‐diabetic patients with metabolic syndrome were included. They had received low‐dose liraglutide at 0.6 or 1.2 mg per day for weight reduction for 12 weeks. After then, changes in bodyweight, waist and metabolic factors were examined. Overt bodyweight reduction was defined as a decrease of >5% within 12 weeks.

Results

With 12 weeks of medication use, both groups showed statistical weight reduction. Higher doses of liraglutide had better efficacy, and 44.4% of patients in the liraglutide 1.2 mg group reached overt weight reduction, whereas just 32.1% in the 0.6 mg group had achieved this. Young age was found to be a predictor factor for a positive finding (odds ratio 0.941, P = 0.037). Early responders with decreased bodyweight of >4.2% within the first 4 weeks indicated a better chance to achieve measurable weight reduction.

Conclusions

Low‐dose liraglutide still has high efficacy in weight reduction in Taiwanese people, especially for those of younger age.
The influence of immune activation on thermal tolerance along a latitudinal cline
Authors: Hector Tobias E. , Sgrò Carla M. , Hall Matthew D.
Published: June 2020

Global change is shifting both temperature patterns and the geographic distribution of pathogens, and infection has already been shown to substantially reduce host thermal performance, potentially placing populations at greater risk that previously thought. But what about individuals that are able to successfully clear an infection? Whilst the direct damage a pathogen causes will likely lead to reductions in host's thermal tolerance, the response to infection often shares many underlying pathways with the general stress response, potentially acting as a buffer against subsequent thermal stress. Here, by exposing Drosophila melanogaster to heat‐killed bacterial pathogens, we investigate how activation of a host's immune system can modify any response to both heat and cold temperature stress. In a single focal population, we find that immune activation can improve a host's knockdown times during heat shock, potentially offsetting some of the damage that would subsequently arise as an infection progresses. Conversely, immune activation had a detrimental effect on CTmax and did not influence lower thermal tolerance as measured by chill‐coma recovery time. However, we also find that the influence of immune activation on heat knockdown times is not generalizable across an entire cline of locally adapted populations. Instead, immune activation led to signals of local adaptation to temperature being lost, erasing the previous advantage that populations in warmer regions had when challenged with heat stress. Our results suggest that activation of the immune system may help buffer individuals against the detrimental impact of infection on thermal tolerance; however, any response will be population specific and potentially not easily predicted across larger geographic scales, and dependent on the form of thermal stress faced by a host.
Histomorphological and endocrine assessment of female Arabian carpetshark, Chiloscyllium arabicum (Elasmobranchii: Hemiscylliidae) from the Persian Gulf during annual reproductive cycle
Authors: Falahiehzadeh Nadieh , Salamat Negin
Published: June 2020

The present study aimed at assessing the annual reproductive cycle of female Arabian carpetshark, Chiloscyllium arabicum from the Persian Gulf by a macroscopic and microscopic evaluation of the reproductive tract. The annual cycle of gonadal steroids [17β‐estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4) and testosterone (T)] was also assessed in this shark. In total, 130 female C. arabicum were collected from the Bahrakan Creek (located northwest of the Persian Gulf) between January 2018 and March 2019. Females were oviparous with an external‐type ovary and only one functional ovary. Five sexual maturity stages were recognized based on macroscopic and microscopic evaluation: Immature I (August–October), Immature II (November–January), Mature (February–March), Pregnant (April–May) and Spent (June–July). The structural changes in the oviducts, oviducal glands and uterus throughout the annual reproductive cycle were consistent with their roles in the egg movement, the egg capsule production and sperm storage. The plasma levels of the gonadal steroids were associated with morphological changes in the reproductive tract. E2 showed two detectable peaks during March (close to ovulation) and June (just before mating). P4 and T displayed a peak just before ovulation.