bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variation in the outer diameter of vascular sheaths commonly used in infant cardiac catheterization
Authors: Mathis Christopher , Romans Ryan , Divekar Abhay
Published: February 2020

Objective

To compare the outer diameter (OD) of conventional and radial sheaths from different manufacturers for sizes typically used in infant catheterization.

Background

The smallest sheath size is recommended to minimize risk of arterial injury in infants. However, sheath size refers to its internal diameter (ID), but it is the larger OD that determines risk. The OD varies between manufacturers and is frequently not known to the end user.

Methods

Three authors measured the OD of 3, 3.3, 4, 5, and 6 French (Fr) sheaths from different manufacturers using a Mitutoyo digital micrometer. Continuous variables are reported as mean ± SD. The midshaft and proximal‐shaft sheath measurements were compared using an independent samples t test. Agreement between author measurements was tested using intra‐ and inter‐rater reliability analysis. Manufacturer sheath OD measurements were obtained. Statistical significance was set at p < .05.

Results

There was no difference in the measured sheath diameters at the midpoint and proximally (p < .05). The intra‐rater and inter‐rater reliability were excellent (Intraclass correlation coefficient 1.0). Among conventional sheaths the OD varied between manufacturers, Terumo sheaths had the smallest and Galt sheaths had the largest OD. Radial sheaths had the smallest OD (1 Fr smaller) when compared to similar sized conventional sheaths. For instance, the OD of 4 Fr radial sheath (1.610 ± 0.006 mm) is essentially the same as the OD of the conventional 3 Fr (1.644 ± 0.016 mm) and 3.3 Fr (1.635 ± 0.005 mm) sheaths.

Conclusions

Our study shows variation in the OD of sheaths used in infant catheterization. The radial sheaths offer the smallest OD across sizes.
Photoinduced Pyramidal Inversion Behavior of Phosphanes Involved with Aggregation‐Induced Emission Behavior
Authors: Machida Takashi , Iwasa Takeshi , Taketsugu Tetsuya , Sada Kazuki , Kokado Kenta
Published: February 2020

Aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) is a fascinating phenomenon because of the applications of luminescent materials in the aggregated state, which exploit the large structural changes of the molecules in the excited state. Recently, it was reported that triphenylphosphane derivatives show AIE behavior in which they undergo potentially large structural changes in the excited state. Inspired by this report, photoinduced pyramidal inversion behavior of phosphanes was investigated. In photochemical experiments, the prepared P‐stereogenic phosphanes exhibited photoracemization in dilute solution, and a negative correlation was observed between the photoracemization and the AIE phenomenon. Theoretical computations revealed that the inversion barrier in the excited state was much smaller than that in the ground state. This is the first report on the photoinduced pyramidal inversion behavior of phosphanes, which will provide new and unexplored applications.
Polymer branching and first normal stress differences in small‐amplitude oscillatory shear flow
Authors: Kanso Mona A. , Giacomin Alan J.
Published: February 2020

General rigid bead‐rod theory explains polymer viscoelasticity from macromolecular orientation. By means of general rigid bead‐rod theory, we relate the normal stress differences of polymeric liquids to the branch position on a backbone branched macromolecule. In this work, we explore the first normal stress differences coefficients of different axisymmetric polymer configurations. When non‐dimensionalized with the zero‐shear first normal stress difference coefficient, the normal stress differences depend solely on the dimensionless frequency. In this work, in this way, we compare and contrast the normal stress differences of macromolecular chains that are branched. We explore the effects of branch position, length, functionality, spacing, and multiplicity, along a straight chain, in addition to rings and star‐shaped macromolecules in small‐amplitude oscillatory shear flow.
Adult hippocampal neurogenesis in Egyptian fruit bats from three different environments: Are interpretational variations due to the environment or methodology?
Authors: Chawana Richard , Patzke Nina , Bhagwandin Adhil , Kaswera‐Kyamakya Consolate , Gilissen Emmanuel , Bertelsen Mads F. , Hemingway Jason , Manger Paul R.
Published: February 2020

We quantified both proliferative (Ki‐67 immunohistochemistry) and immature (doublecortin immunohistochemistry) cells within the dentate gyrus of adult Egyptian fruit bats from three distinct environments: (a) primary rainforest, (b) subtropical woodland, and (c) fifth‐generation captive‐bred. We used four different previously reported methods to assess the effect of the environment on proliferative and immature cells: (a) the comparison of raw totals of proliferative and immature cells; (b) these totals standardized to brain mass; (c) these totals expressed as a density using the volume of the granular cell layer (GCLv) for standardization; and (d) these totals expressed as a percentage of the total number of granule cells. For all methods, the numbers of proliferative cells did not differ statistically among the three groups, indicating that the rate of proliferation, while malleable to experimental manipulation or transiently in response to events of importance in the natural habitat, appears to occur, for the most part, at a predetermined rate within a species. For the immature cells, raw numbers and standardizations to brain mass and GCLv revealed no difference between the three groups studied; however, standardization to total granule cell numbers indicated that the two groups of wild‐caught bats had significantly higher numbers of immature neurons than the captive‐bred bats. These contrasting results indicate that the interpretation of the effect of the environment on the numbers of immature neurons appears method dependent. It is possible that current methods are not sensitive enough to reveal the effect of different environments on proliferative and immature cells.
The Magnitude of the Warfarin‐Amiodarone Drug‐Drug Interaction Varies With Renal Function: A Propensity‐Matched Cohort Study
Authors: Miano Todd A. , Yang Wei , Shashaty Michael G. S. , Zuppa Athena , Brown Jeremiah R. , Hennessy Sean
Published: February 2020

Amiodarone inhibits warfarin metabolism and is associated with major bleeding during warfarin therapy. Managing this drug‐drug interaction (DDI) is challenging because of substantial interpatient variability in DDI magnitude. Because renal dysfunction induces changes in drug metabolism and protein binding that could alter cytochrome P450 inhibition mechanisms, we hypothesized that renal dysfunction alters the impact of the warfarin‐amiodarone DDI. We tested this question in a propensity‐matched cohort study of hospitalized patients with atrial fibrillation. Patients were queried from an electronic health record database. Renal function was estimated with creatinine clearance (CrCl). Warfarin response was measured with the warfarin sensitivity index (WSI), a dose‐normalized international normalized ratio (INR) measure, and was modeled with multilevel mixed‐effects linear regression. Time to supratherapeutic INR (> 4) was modeled using Cox regression. Propensity score matching resulted in 4,518 patients administered amiodarone and 4,518 controls. Amiodarone’s effect on warfarin response varied threefold across the renal function range, increasing WSI by 36% in patients with normal renal function (CrCl 115 mL/minute), but by only 11.8% in patients with severe renal dysfunction (CrCl 15 mL/minute). Similarly, amiodarone had a strong effect in patients with normal renal function (hazard ratio (HR) 1.80; 1.23, 2.64), but a negligible effect on supratherapeutic INR hazard in patients with severe renal dysfunction (HR 1.01; 0.75, 1.37). These results suggest that renal function is a novel factor that explains substantial variability in the warfarin‐amiodarone DDI. This information could inform warfarin dosage adjustment and monitoring and may have implications for the selection of oral anticoagulation agents in patients treated with amiodarone.
New grounded and floating memristor emulators using OTA and CDBA
Authors: Yadav Nisha , Rai Shireesh Kumar , Pandey Rishikesh
Published: February 2020

In this paper, grounded and floating decremental/incremental memristor emulators have been proposed by using an operational transconductance amplifier (OTA), current differencing buffered amplifier (CDBA), and a grounded capacitor. The proposed memristor emulators are simpler in design over most of the realizations of memristor emulators available in the literature. The proposed configurations of grounded and floating decremental memristor emulators can be easily converted into grounded and floating incremental memristor emulators. The pinched hysteresis loops obtained from proposed memristor emulators are maintained up to 1‐MHz frequency in both decremental and incremental configurations. Simulation results have been obtained using a Mentor Graphics Eldo simulation tool in 0.18‐μm complementary metal‐oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology parameters. Analog filters have also been designed to verify the performance of proposed grounded and floating memristor emulators.
A low‐power, low‐data‐rate efficient ADC with hybrid exponential‐linear transfer curve for bio‐potential recording systems
Authors: Gharaei Jomehei Maryam , Sheikhaei Samad , Saberi Mehdi
Published: February 2020

A digital‐ramp hybrid exponential‐linear analog‐to‐digital converter (ADC) is presented in this paper, which is attractive, where a high dynamic range (DR) is required. It is especially applicable for sampling neural (bio‐potential) signals, as most of the neural signal data are concentrated on higher side of the amplitude range. By the exponential quantization function for low signal amplitudes, the background noise that disperses in lower amplitudes will be reduced. For higher signal amplitudes, the exponential function optionally switches to linear function at an adjustable voltage threshold, to reduce required number of bits for those high amplitudes, as well. As a result of this exponential‐linear hybrid operation, the total data rate and the power required for data transmission are decreased. A prototype 8‐bit counter‐based exponential ADC is designed and simulated in 0.18‐μm complementary metal‐oxide‐semiconductor (CMOS). The 20‐KS/s ADC achieves a DR of 66 dB, occupies 0.036 mm2 area, and consumes 6.4‐μW power from a 1.8‐V supply. Integral nonlinearity (INL) and differential nonlinearity (DNL) that are redefined to be compatible with nonlinear ADCs are 3.2 and 0.88 least significant bits (LSBs), respectively.
Autoantigens in the trabecular meshwork and glaucoma‐specific alterations in the natural autoantibody repertoire
Authors: Beutgen Vanessa M , Schmelter Carsten , Pfeiffer Norbert , Grus Franz H
Published: February 2020

Objectives

Primary open‐angle glaucoma (POAG) is a neurodegenerative disorder leading to a gradual vision loss caused by progressive damage to the optic nerve. Immunological processes are proposed to be involved in POAG pathogenesis. Altered serological autoantibody levels have been frequently reported, but complete analyses of the natural autoantibodies with respect to disease‐related alterations are scarce. Here, we provide an explorative analysis of pathways and biological processes that may involve naturally immunogenic proteins and highlight POAG‐specific alterations.

Methods

Mass spectrometry‐based antibody‐mediated identification of autoantigens (MS‐AMIDA) was carried out in healthy and glaucomatous trabecular meshwork (TM) cell lines, using antibody pools purified from serum samples of 30 POAG patients and 30 non‐glaucomatous subjects. Selected antigens were validated by protein microarray (n = 120). Bioinformatic assessment of identified autoantigens, including Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and protein–protein interaction networks, was applied.

Results

Overall, we identified 106 potential autoantigens [false discovery rate (FDR) < 0.01], from which we considered 66 as physiological targets of natural autoantibodies. Twenty‐one autoantigens appeared to be related to POAG. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that the platelet‐derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFRB) pathway involved in TM fibrosis was particularly rich in POAG‐related antigens. Antibodies to threonine‐tRNA ligase (TARS), component 1 Q subcomponent‐binding protein (C1QBP) and paraneoplastic antigen Ma2 (PNMA2) showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher levels in POAG patients as validated by protein microarray.

Conclusion

This study provides new insights into autoimmunity in health and glaucoma. Bioinformatic analysis of POAG‐related autoantigens showed a strong association with the PDGFRB pathway and also increased levels of PNMA2, TARS, and C1QBP autoantibodies in the serum of POAG patients as potential glaucoma biomarkers.
Quantitative Bioimage Analysis of Passaging Effect on the Migratory Behavior of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells During Spheroid Formation
Authors: Jiang Ching‐Fen , Hsu Shan‐hui , Sun Yu‐Man , Tsai Ming‐Hong
Published: February 2020

The quality of stem cells obtained through serial subcultivation is the pivotal factor determining the therapeutic effectiveness of regenerative medicine. However, an effective quality monitoring system for cell culture is yet to be established. Detailed parameter studies of the migratory behavior of stem cells at different passages may provide insight into the deterioration of stemness. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of quantitative bioimage analysis for monitoring stem cell quality during in vitro culture and to explore the passaging effects on stem cell migration. An image‐based analytical tool using cell tracking, cytometric analyses, and gating with time‐lapse microscopy was developed to characterize the migratory behavior of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) isolated from human adipose tissue (hADAS) and placenta (hPDMC) cultured on chitosan membranes. Quantitative analysis was performed for the single cells and assembled spheroids selected from 15 videos of Passages 3, 5, and 11 for hADAS and those from 12 videos of Passages 7, 11, and 16 for hPDMC. These passages were selected to represent the young, matured, and degenerated stem cells, respectively. Migratory behavior varied with cell passages. The mobility of single hMSCs decreased at degenerated passages. In addition, enhancement of mobility, due to transformation from single cells to spheroids, occurred at each passage. The young hMSCs seemed more likely to move as single cells rather than as aggregates. Once matured, they tended to aggregate with strong 3D spheroid formability and increased mobility. However, the spheroid formability and mobility decreased at late passage. The increase in aggregation rate with passaging may be a compensatory mechanism to enhance the declining mobility of hMSCs through cell coordination. Our findings regarding the passaging effects on stem‐cell migratory behavior agree with biochemical reports, suggesting that the developed imaging method is capable of monitoring the cell‐culture quality effectively. © 2020 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
A need for speed in Bayesian population models: a practical guide to marginalizing and recovering discrete latent states
Authors: Yackulic Charles B. , Dodrill Michael , Dzul Maria , Sanderlin Jamie S. , Reid Janice A.
Published: February 2020

Bayesian population models can be exceedingly slow due, in part, to the choice to simulate discrete latent states. Here, we discuss an alternative approach to discrete latent states, marginalization, that forms the basis of maximum likelihood population models and is much faster. Our manuscript has two goals: (1) to introduce readers unfamiliar with marginalization to the concept and provide worked examples and (2) to address topics associated with marginalization that have not been previously synthesized and are relevant to both Bayesian and maximum likelihood models. We begin by explaining marginalization using a Cormack‐Jolly‐Seber model. Next, we apply marginalization to multistate capture–recapture, community occupancy, and integrated population models and briefly discuss random effects, priors, and pseudo‐R2. Then, we focus on recovery of discrete latent states, defining different types of conditional probabilities and showing how quantities such as population abundance or species richness can be estimated in marginalized code. Last, we show that occupancy and site‐abundance models with auto‐covariates can be fit with marginalized code with minimal impact on parameter estimates. Marginalized code was anywhere from five to >1,000 times faster than discrete code and differences in inferences were minimal. Discrete latent states and fully conditional approaches provide the best estimates of conditional probabilities for a given site or individual. However, estimates for parameters and derived quantities such as species richness and abundance are minimally affected by marginalization. In the case of abundance, marginalized code is both quicker and has lower bias than an N‐augmentation approach. Understanding how marginalization works shrinks the divide between Bayesian and maximum likelihood approaches to population models. Some models that have only been presented in a Bayesian framework can easily be fit in maximum likelihood. On the other hand, factors such as informative priors, random effects, or pseudo‐R2 values may motivate a Bayesian approach in some applications. An understanding of marginalization allows users to minimize the speed that is sacrificed when switching from a maximum likelihood approach. Widespread application of marginalization in Bayesian population models will facilitate more thorough simulation studies, comparisons of alternative model structures, and faster learning.
Past, current, and future willingness to engage with treatment targets: Applying user‐centered design to inform the design of a mobile behavioral intervention
Authors: Weinheimer Emilie A. , Chang Angela , Neubert Sarah W. , Wildes Jennifer E. , Graham Andrea K.
Published: February 2020

Objective

User‐centered design can improve engagement with and the potential efficacy of behavioral interventions, but is underutilized in health care. This work demonstrates how design methodologies can inform the design of a mobile behavioral intervention for binge eating and obesity.

Method

A needs assessment was conducted with end‐users (N = 22 adults with obesity and recurrent binge eating [≥12 episodes in 3 months] who were interested in losing weight and addressing binge eating), which included assessing participants' past/current and future willingness to engage with 20 treatment targets for managing binge eating and weight. Targets focused on improving dietary intake, increasing physical activity, and reducing overvaluation of weight and/or shape, unhealthy weight control practices, and negative affect.

Results

Participants' past and current use of targets varied. For all targets except those addressing unhealthy weight control practices, on average, participants had increasing levels of willingness to try targets. Among participants not currently using a target, at least some were willing to use every target again.

Discussion

Findings inform ways to personalize how users begin treatment. Furthermore, this study exemplifies how user‐centered design can inform ways to ensure that digital interventions are designed to meet end‐users' needs to improve engagement and clinical impact.
Multiple observation processes in spatial capture–recapture models: How much do we gain?
Authors: Tourani Mahdieh , Dupont Pierre , Nawaz Muhammad Ali , Bischof Richard
Published: February 2020

Population monitoring data may originate from multiple methods and are often sparse and fraught with incomplete information due to practical and economic constraints. Models that can integrate multiple survey methods and are able to cope with incomplete data may help investigators exploit available information more thoroughly. Here, we developed an integrated spatial capture–recapture (SCR) model to incorporate multiple data sources with imperfect individual identification. We contrast inferences drawn from this model with alternate models incorporating only subsets of the data available. Using extensive simulations and an empirical example of multi‐method brown bear (Ursus arctos) monitoring data from northern Pakistan, we quantified the benefits of including multiple sources of information in SCR models in terms of parameter precision and bias. Our multiple observation processes SCR model (MOP) yielded a more complete picture of the underlying processes, reduced bias, and led to more precise parameter estimates. Our results suggest that the greatest gains from integrated SCR models can be expected in situations where detection probability is low, a large proportion of detections is not attributable to individuals, and the degree of overlap between individual home ranges is low.
Competition for light and persistence of rare light‐demanding species within tree‐fall gaps in a moist tropical forest
Authors: Velázquez Eduardo , Wiegand Thorsten
Published: February 2020

Current evidence suggests that tree‐fall gaps can influence forest structure and dynamics by enabling certain species guilds to persist over the long term. Here we assessed the development of local size hierarchies and asymmetric competition for light in tree‐fall gaps, and the role played by these two processes for the persistence of rare light‐demanding species in the Barro Colorado Island Forest Dynamics Plot (Panama). We performed spatial point pattern analysis, considering both the spatial locations (x,y) and the diameter at breast height (DBH) of all the woody plant recruits from the 1985 and 2000 censuses located in tree‐fall gaps, and followed their fate up to the 1990–2010 and 2005–2010 censuses, respectively. For these two recruit cohorts, we found that, from the initial census until 5–10 yr later, close neighbors presented a larger DBH than the mean DBH of all individuals within gaps, which points to a positive growth response of recruits to the increased light levels in the gap centers. However, close neighbors of the 1985 cohort also showed larger than expected DBH differences that disappeared in subsequent censuses, indicating an enhancement of size differences between neighbors and the mortality of the smaller individuals. Finally, for both recruit cohorts, we found that 10–15 yr after gap formation, surviving individuals of rare light‐demanding species had a negative impact on survival of neighboring individuals of other species. Our results indicate that gaps favor the persistence of rare light‐demanding species through the development of local size hierarchies and asymmetric competition for light. The strength of this process, however, apparently depends upon gap size and the role played by the woody plants already existing at the time of gap formation in early colonization. Moreover, our findings suggest that in this forest, gaps may enhance colonization of plant species typical of nearby dry tropical areas, and that, over the coming decades, similar processes could strongly modify the structure and dynamics of moist tropical forests in the region.
Continuous Transesterification Reaction of Residual Frying Oil with Pressurized Ethanol Using KF/Clay as Catalyst
Authors: Zempulski Denise Aparecida , Trentini Caroline Portilho , Milinsk Maria Cristina , Alves Helton José , da Silva Camila
Published: February 2020

The efficiency of a heterogeneous potassium fluoride (KF)/clay catalyst in continuous ester production from residual frying oil using pressurized ethanol is evaluated. Reactions without catalysts are conducted to determine the effect of the catalyst on ester yield. To verify the performance of the catalyst, the reactions are conducted for 3 h with determination of the ester yield every 30 min and characterization of the catalyst after each reaction. The influence of the temperature, catalyst mass used in the catalytic bed, and the residence time are evaluated. KF/clay is found to be efficient in ester synthesis and provides better results compared with non‐catalytic reactions and the formation of esters is favored on increasing the temperature. The ester yields remain stable over time at 275 and 300 °C but at 225 and 250 °C the yields decrease by 48.42% and 38.40%, respectively. This may be due to the lower diffusion coefficient at these temperatures, implying that the reaction occurs preferentially at the catalyst surface. There is an increase in yield with an increase in the catalyst mass up to 2 g. The catalyst maintains its morphological characteristics after the reaction and the average mass loss in each reaction is <8%.

Practical Applications: Transesterification at high temperature under pressurized conditions has great potential in biodiesel production, due to the efficiency in obtaining esters in short reaction times. In addition, the use of inexpensive and easily obtained clay‐based catalysts contributes to higher yields and allows milder operating conditions. These factors make it possible to obtain biodiesel using a low‐cost raw material (residual frying oil), under pressurized conditions, which will be of interest worldwide due to the various benefits linked to its use.
NMR Spectroscopy: Determination of Peroxide Value in Vegetable and Krill Oil by Using Triphenylphosphine as Tagging Reagent
Authors: Hafer Elina , Holzgrabe Ulrike , Wiedemann Sascha , Adams Kristie M. , Diehl Bernd
Published: February 2020

Hydroperoxides are formed as the primary product during lipid oxidation, being analyzed as the peroxide value to detect the degradation level of oils and fats. As an alternative to the classical titration method according to Wheeler, a 1H‐{31P} decoupled NMR method is developed using triphenylphosphine (TPP) as a tagging agent. TPP reacts with peroxides to form TPP oxides. The quantification of the peroxide value is performed by comparing the amount of reacted TPP oxide and non‐reacted TPP. This approach eliminates the requirement for an additional internal standard. Low‐oxidized oils (peroxide value < 3 meq/kg) and high‐oxidized oils with peroxide values of 150 meq/kg are precisely quantified with an relative standard deviation (RSD) of 4.90% and 0.16%, respectively. A total number of 108 oil samples are examined using the newly‐developed 1H‐{31P} decoupled NMR method, indicating the applicability for vegetable oils and krill oils.

Practical Applications: The developed NMR method is applicable for the determination of the peroxide value in vegetable, marine and krill oils presenting a powerful alternative for the Wheeler titration method.
Assessing the role of ketogenic dietary therapy in ring chromosome 20 syndrome: A patient‐led approach
Authors: Gordon Donald , Watson Allison , Desurkar Archana , Cowley Laura , Hiemstra Thomas F.
Published: February 2020

Ring chromosome 20 syndrome (r(20)) is an ultra‐rare disease characterized by drug‐refractory epilepsy, cognitive impairment, and behavioral problems. Nonpharmacological treatments alongside antiepileptic drugs early after diagnosis may help reduce seizure frequency and preserve cognition. Ketogenic dietary therapy (KDT) has benefitted children with complex, refractory epilepsies, but its efficacy in r(20) is unknown. We assessed clinical prescription, implementation, and patient experience of KDT in r(20) through online surveys and a workshop. Forty‐two patients, families, carers, and 23 healthcare professionals completed the surveys. While nearly all patients were familiar with KDT, only half had tried it. Significant improvement in seizure activity, cognition, and alertness was reported; side effects were typically mild but with one report of increased seizure frequency. A high rate of co‐morbidity, older age at presentation, behavioral problems, and cognitive impairment can make implementing KDT in r(20) challenging. In the UK, NHS KDT services are predominantly available to pediatric patients, with very limited adult access. A health economic analysis illustrating reduced acute care costs or improved quality of life may support more widespread KDT implementation. Growing evidence supports KDT as an effective and safe intervention, but further research is needed to understand the mechanisms of r(20) and its interaction with ketosis.
Acute and Chronic Toxicity of Sodium Nitrate and Sodium Sulfate to Several Freshwater Organisms in Water-Only Exposures
Authors: Wang Ning , Dorman Rebecca A. , Ivey Christopher D. , Soucek David J. , Dickinson Amy , Kunz Bethany K. , Steevens Jeffery A. , Hammer Edward J. , Bauer Candice R.
Published: February 2020

Elevated nitrate (NO3) and sulfate (SO4) in surface water are of global concern, and studies are needed to generate toxicity data to develop environmental guideline values for NO3 and SO4. The present study was designed to fill existing gaps in toxicity databases by determining the acute and/or chronic toxicity of NO3 (tested as NaNO3) to a unionid mussel (Lampsilis siliquoidea), a midge (Chironomus dilutus), a fish (rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss), and 2 amphibians (Hyla versicolor and Lithobates sylvaticus), and to determine the acute and/or chronic toxicity of SO4 (tested as Na2SO4) to 2 unionid mussels (L. siliquoidea and Villosa iris), an amphipod (Hyalella azteca), and 2 fish species (fathead minnow, Pimephales promelas and O. mykiss). Among the different test species, acute NO3 median effect concentrations (EC50s) ranged from 189 to >883 mg NO3-N/L, and chronic NO3 20% effect concentrations (EC20s) based on the most sensitive endpoint ranged from 9.6 to 47 mg NO3-N/L. The midge was the most sensitive species, and the trout was the least sensitive species in both acute and chronic NO3 exposures. Acute SO4 EC50s for the 2 mussel species (2071 and 2064 mg SO4/L) were similar to the EC50 for the amphipod (2689 mg SO4/L), whereas chronic EC20s for the 2 mussels (438 and 384 mg SO4/L) were >2-fold lower than the EC20 of the amphipod (1111 mg SO4/L), indicating the high sensitivity of mussels in chronic SO4 exposures. However, the fathead minnow, with an EC20 of 374 mg SO4/L, was the most sensitive species in chronic SO4 exposures whereas the rainbow trout was the least sensitive species (EC20 > 3240 mg SO4/L). The high sensitivity of fathead minnow was consistent with the finding in a previous chronic Na2SO4 study. However, the EC20 values from the present study conducted in test water containing a higher potassium concentration (3 mg K/L) were >2-fold greater than those in the previous study at a lower potassium concentration (1 mg K/L), which confirmed the influence of potassium on chronic Na2SO4 toxicity to the minnow. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:1071–1085. © 2020 SETAC
Jump‐reduced immersed boundary method for compressible flow
Authors: Choung Hanahchim , Saravanan Vignesh , Lee Soogab
Published: February 2020

The main challenge of the immersed boundary approach is the proper enforcement of boundary conditions on the body interface without any spurious oscillations, which are induced by the nongrid‐conforming boundary configuration. In this study, a new sharp interface ghost‐cell immersed boundary method (IBM) is proposed for obtaining solutions near the immersed boundary with a high order of accuracy. The main idea is “jump‐reduction” instead of jump‐correction across the boundary interface by combining the ghost‐cell method with the flow reconstruction method. In the proposed IBM, the unknown values at the three points, that is, boundary points, ghost cell, and flow field reconstruction point are solved simultaneously using equations formulated by the moving least‐squares interpolation method. It is a hybrid of ghost‐cell and flow reconstruction methods, correlated with interface values, which result in a reduced jump‐discontinuity. In addition, a discontinuity‐distinguishing algorithm is introduced so that the low‐order method is applied only to the discontinuous or non smooth region, while the current high‐order method is applied elsewhere. Reduced jump‐discontinuity of the proposed IBM has been verified in both subsonic and supersonic flow using fundamental benchmark problems. We observed that the reduced jump‐discontinuity does not hamper the mass conservation and shows even better conservation property than conventional methods due to the nonoscillatory performance in smooth regions. The numerical results further confirm the ability of the proposed IBM to solve complex flow physics with high‐order accuracy and improved stability.
A detailed look at crude oil price volatility prediction using macroeconomic variables
Authors: Nonejad Nima
Published: February 2020

We investigate whether crude oil price volatility is predictable by conditioning on macroeconomic variables. We consider a large number of predictors, take into account the possibility that relative predictive performance varies over the out‐of‐sample period, and shed light on the economic drivers of crude oil price volatility. Results using monthly data from 1983:M1 to 2018:M12 document that variables related to crude oil production, economic uncertainty and variables that either describe the current stance or provide information about the future state of the economy forecast crude oil price volatility at the population level 1 month ahead. On the other hand, evidence of finite‐sample predictability is very weak. A detailed examination of our out‐of‐sample results using the fluctuation test suggests that this is because relative predictive performance changes drastically over the out‐of‐sample period. The predictive power associated with the more successful macroeconomic variables concentrates around the Great Recession until 2015. They also generate the strongest signal of a decrease in the price of crude oil towards the end of 2008.
Long‐term swallowing, trismus, and speech outcomes after combined chemoradiotherapy and preventive rehabilitation for head and neck cancer; 10‐year plus update
Authors: Karsten Rebecca T. , van der Molen Lisette , Hamming‐Vrieze Olga , van Son Rob J. J. H. , Hilgers Frans J. M. , van den Brekel Michiel W. M. , Stuiver Martijn M. , Smeele Ludi E.
Published: February 2020

Background

The objective of this study was to explore the 10‐year plus outcomes of Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy with concomitant chemotherapy (CRT) combined with preventive swallowing rehabilitation (CRT+) for head and neck cancer (HNC).

Methods

Subjective and objective swallowing, trismus, and speech related outcomes were assessed at 10‐year plus after CRT+. Outcomes were compared to previously published 6‐year results of the same cohort.

Results

Fourteen of the 22 patients at 6‐year follow‐up were evaluable. Although objective swallowing‐related outcomes showed no deterioration (eg, no feeding tube dependency and no pneumonia), swallowing‐related quality of life slightly deteriorated over time. No patients had or perceived trismus. Voice and speech questionnaires showed little problems in daily life. Overall quality of life (QOL) was good.

Conclusions

After CRT with preventive rehabilitation exercises for advanced HNC, swallowing, trismus, and speech related outcomes moderately deteriorated from 6 to 10 years, with an on average good overall QOL after.
Impact of Immune Response on Outcomes in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Association With Vascular Formation
Authors: Itoh Shinji , Yoshizumi Tomoharu , Yugawa Kyohei , Imai Daisuke , Yoshiya Shohei , Takeishi Kazuki , Toshima Takeo , Harada Noboru , Ikegami Toru , Soejima Yuji , Kohashi Kenichi , Oda Yoshinao , Mori Masaki
Published: February 2020

Background and Aims

We investigated the prognostic value of programmed death ligand 1 (PD‐L1) expression, tumor‐infiltrating CD8‐positive T‐cell status, and their combination in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Their association with PD‐L1 expression and vascular formation was further explored.

Approach and Results

Using a database of 387 patients who underwent hepatic resection for HCC, immunohistochemical staining of PD‐L1, CD8, and CD34 was performed. Additionally, we undertook an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay for soluble PD‐L1. Compared with patients with HCC and PD‐L1–negative expression (n = 311), patients with HCC and PD‐L1–positive expression (n = 76) showed significantly worse overall survival (OS; multivariate hazard ratio, 2.502; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.716‐3.649; P < 0.0001). The presence of tumor‐infiltrating CD8‐positive T cells was significantly correlated with longer OS (multivariate hazard ratio, 0.383; 95% CI, 0.274‐0.537; P < 0.0001). Stratification based on PD‐L1 expression in cancer cells and tumor‐infiltrating CD8‐positive T‐cell status was also significantly associated with OS (log‐rank, P < 0.0001). HCC with PD‐L1–positive expression was significantly correlated with positivity for vessels that encapsulated tumor clusters. Serum PD‐L1 levels were significantly higher in the group of patients who had PD‐L1–positive expression than in the group of patients who had PD‐L1–negative expression (P = 0.0158).

Conclusions

PD‐L1 expression in cancer cells was associated with a poor clinical outcome and vascular formation in patients with HCC. Additionally, the combination of PD‐L1 expression with tumor‐infiltrating CD8‐positive T‐cell status enabled further classification of patients based on their clinical outcome. Thus, PD‐L1 expression in cancer cells and tumor‐infiltrating CD8‐positive T‐cell status might serve as predictive tissue biomarkers.
Activation of Estrogen Receptor G Protein–Coupled Receptor 30 Enhances Cholesterol Cholelithogenesis in Female Mice
Authors: Wang Helen H. , de Bari Ornella , Arnatt Christopher K. , Liu Min , Portincasa Piero , Wang David Q.‐H.
Published: February 2020

Background and Aims

Estrogen is an important risk factor for cholesterol gallstone disease because women are twice as likely as men to form gallstones. The classical estrogen receptor α (ERα), but not ERβ, in the liver plays a critical role in the formation of estrogen‐induced gallstones in female mice. The molecular mechanisms underlying the lithogenic effect of estrogen on gallstone formation have become more complicated with the identification of G protein–coupled receptor 30 (GPR30), an estrogen receptor.

Approach and Results

We investigated the biliary and gallstone phenotypes in ovariectomized female GPR30−/−, ERα−/−, and wild‐type mice injected intramuscularly with the potent GPR30‐selective agonist G‐1 at 0 or 1 μg/day and fed a lithogenic diet for 8 weeks. The activation of GPR30 by G‐1 enhanced cholelithogenesis by suppressing expression of cholesterol 7α‐hydroxylase, the rate‐limiting enzyme for the classical pathway of bile salt synthesis. These metabolic abnormalities led to an increase in biliary cholesterol concentrations in company with hepatic hyposecretion of biliary bile salts, thereby inducing cholesterol‐supersaturated gallbladder bile and accelerating cholesterol crystallization. G‐1 also impairs gallbladder emptying, leading to sluggish gallbladder motility and promoting the development of biliary sludge in the early stage of gallstone formation. The prevalence rates of gallstones were 80% in wild‐type and ERα−/− mice treated with G‐1 compared to 10% in wild‐type mice receiving no G‐1. However, no gallstones were formed in GPR30−/− mice treated with G‐1.

Conclusions

GPR30 produces additional lithogenic actions, working independently of ERα, to increase susceptible to gallstone formation in female mice; both GPR30 and ERα are potential therapeutic targets for cholesterol gallstone disease, particularly in women and patients exposed to high levels of estrogen.
The rising relative and absolute incidence of uterine cancer in specific populations
Authors: Timoteo‐Liaina Ianeta , Khozaim Kareem , Chen Yi‐Ju A. , Buenconsejo‐Lum Lee , Arslan Alan A. , Matthews Roland , Del Priore Giuseppe
Published: February 2020

Objective

To assess the contemporary incidence of cancers using American Samoa as a learning set for insights into similar populations.

Methods

A retrospective observational analysis of de‐identified data held in public‐access databases (2004–2014) and data on uterine cancer from a hospital, both in American Samoa (2015–2016).

Results

There were 341 new cases of cancer in 2004–2014 (111 per 100 000 women/year), including breast (20.2%), uterine (19.4%), and cervical (5.0%); and 287 in 2011–2015 (103 per 100 000 women/year), including uterine (24.0%), breast (18.5%), and cervical (5.2%). Uterine cancer increased from 21.4 to 60.3 per 100 000 women/year, becoming the most common cancer in American Samoa. In 2011–2015, the incidence‐rate ratio of uterine cancer to other cancers in American Samoa was 1.3‐, 3.8‐, 4.6‐, 7.7‐, and 23‐fold higher than breast, colon, cervical, ovarian, and lung cancer, respectively. Among the most recent cases (n=33), median age was 55 years (10 [30.3%] <50 years), median BMI was 38.2; and 11 (33.3%) cases had grade 3 histology.

Conclusion

The pattern of cancers in American Samoa differs from that in the US mainland. The findings reflect significant changes in cancer incidence. Cancer control programs should evaluate the potential of uterine screening in accordance with their community's needs and characteristics.
Benzene and its effects on cell signaling pathways related to hematopoiesis and leukemia
Authors: Lu Peter C.W. , Shahbaz Sara , Winn Louise M.
Published: February 2020

Benzene is an environmental toxicant found in many consumer products. It is an established human carcinogen and is known to cause acute myeloid leukemia in adults. Epidemiological evidence has since shown that benzene can cross the placenta and affect the fetal liver. Animal studies have shown that in utero exposure to benzene can increase tumor incidence in offspring. Although there have been risk factors established for acute myeloid leukemia, they still do not account for many of the cases. Clearly then, current efforts to elucidate the mechanism by which benzene exerts its carcinogenic properties have been superficial. Owing to the critical role of cell signaling pathways in the development of an organism and its various organ systems, it seems plausible to suspect that these pathways may have a role in leukemogenesis. This review article assesses current evidence of the effects of benzene on critical hematopoietic signaling pathways. Pathways discussed included Hedgehog, Notch/Delta, Wingless/Integrated, nuclear factor‐kappaB and others. Following a review of the literature, it seems that current evidence about the effects of benzene on these critical signaling pathways remains limited. Given the important role of these pathways in hematopoiesis, more attention should be given to them.
The ratio of superoxide dismutase to standard deviation of erythrocyte distribution width as a predictor of systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Yan Ling , Wang Bo , Chen Shizhi , Zhou Hua , Li Pu , Zhou Lijing , Zhao Qing , Wang Bo , Chen Weixian
Published: February 2020

Background

To explore the clinical value of the serum superoxide dismutase‐to‐standard deviation of erythrocyte distribution width ratio (SRSR) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

A total of 222 SLE patients from the Rheumatology and Immunology Department in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January 2017 to April 2019 were collected as the experimental group, and a total of 202 healthy physical examiners were extracted as the control group. Neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR), superoxide dismutase‐to‐standard deviation of erythrocyte distribution width ratio (SRSR), and platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were calculated from the collected data and then compared the level of the above three indexes between the two groups. In addition, we analyzed the association between SRSR and clinically relevant indicators.

Results

We found that the SRSR of SLE patients was significantly lower than healthy control group, by analyzing the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve; it revealed that the SRSR had higher specificity and sensitivity than either superoxide dismutase (SOD) or standard deviation of erythrocyte distribution width (RDW‐SD) alone. The area under the curve (AUC) for SRSR was significantly larger than either SOD or RDW‐SD alone, and the AUC for SRSR was also larger than NLR and PLR. And it was found that SRSR was independently correlated with SLE disease activity through multiple linear regression analysis.

Conclusion

SRSR is a useful biomarker for the diagnosis of SLE, and it is of great significance in the clinical application.
Combination treatment of rituximab and donor platelets infusion to reduce donor‐specific anti‐HLA antibodies for stem cells engraftment in haploidentical transplantation
Authors: Zhang Rongli , He Yi , Yang Donglin , Jiang Erlie , Ma Qiaoling , Pang Aiming , Zhai Weihua , Wei Jialin , Feng Sizhou , Han Mingzhe
Published: February 2020

Background

Donor‐specific anti‐human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies (DSAs) in recipients is a risk factor for donor stem cell graft failure in haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo‐HSCT), and the treatment to reduce the levels of DSAs is not unanimous. This study was to analysis the role of DSAs for stem cell engraftment and to discuss the effective treatment to reduce DSAs in haplo‐HSCT.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated the levels of DSAs and the effect of the combination treatment of rituximab and donor platelets (PLTs) for donor stem cell engraftment in haplo‐HSCT patients from June 2016 to March 2018 at our center.

Results

Nine patients (11.5%) out of the total 78 patients were DSAs‐positive and multivariate analysis revealed DSAs was the only factor that affected engraftment. Seven out of the 9 DSAs (+) patients received therapy: Four had antibodies against donor HLA class I (HLA‐I) antigens and were administered two therapeutic amounts of donor apheresis platelets (platelet count approximately 3‐5 × 1011) before donor stem cell infusion and the other three patients received a combination therapy of donor apheresis platelets and rituximab due to the antibodies against both donor HLA‐I antigens and HLA class II (HLA‐II) antigens. All the seven patients achieved donor stem cell engraftment successfully, and the DSAs levels decreased rapidly after transplantation.

Conclusions

DSAs is an important factor affecting engraftment in haplo‐HSCT. Donor platelet transfusion is one simple and effective treatment for HLA‐I DSAs, and a combination therapy should be administered if patients have both HLA‐I and HLA‐II antibodies.
Analysis of clinical characteristics of 2243 with positive anti‐gastric parietal cell antibody
Authors: Guo Yaping , Hao Yingxia , Li Xiaoyan , Liu Xin , Liang Ying , Song Wenjie , Guo Shuqin
Published: February 2020

Background

To facilitate the early detection of chronic diseases, we analyzed the clinical characteristics of anti‐gastric parietal cell antibody (PCA)‐positive population, revealed the early characteristics of the population.

Methods

According to the retrospective analysis, current situation investigation and comparative analysis of the clinical characteristics and medical history of the subjects, the comparison between the groups was performed.

Result

(a) The positive rate of PCA detection in department of gastroenterology in our hospital was 35.80%. Among the individuals who underwent PCA, esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and pathological examination at the same time, 33.59% of the patients with PCA positive were diagnosed as atrophic gastritis by gastroscopy, which was much higher than 9.09% of the patients with PCA negative. (b) The incidence of gastroesophageal reflux, hypertension, ischemic heart disease (IHD) and cerebral ischemia in PCA‐positive population were 65.45%, 81.63%, 15.43%, and 31.61%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the control group. (c) The incidence rates of decreased red blood cells (RBC) and increased homocysteine (HCY) in laboratory‐related tests were 38.30% and 69.15%, respectively, which were much higher than those in control group.

Conclusion

PCA has predictive value for a variety of chronic diseases and timely detection is of great significance.